No. 19 Morningside starts season with win

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The 19th-ranked Morningside men's basketball team looked sharp from the start in its season opener Saturday, using a big first-half surge to take control in a 93-75 victory over Mount Mercy inside Allee Gymnasium.

The Mustangs (1–0) created separation with a 23-6 run late in the first half, fueled by hot perimeter shooting and crisp ball movement. Morningside hit 10 three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes and carried a 48-30 lead into halftime.

"We took high quality shots and valued each possession," head coach Trent Miller said. "I was proud of how our guys were moving the ball offensively and finding the open guy for the right shot."

From there, the Mustangs maintained their composure, shooting 56 percent from the field for the game while knocking down 14 triples on 48 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

Senior guard Caleb Dreckman poured in a game-high 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including five threes, while adding five assists and seven rebounds. Fellow senior Daniel Brocaille followed with 22 points and six rebounds, and Alex Wilcoxson provided 14 points, seven assists, and two steals. Kaden Van Regenmorte added 10 points, six boards, and a pair of blocks, and Fitzy Grant chipped in nine points in his Mustang debut.

Morningside shared the ball well, assisting on 22 of its 34 made baskets while committing only eight turnovers. The Mustangs' defensive energy also stood out, limiting Mount Mercy to just 21 percent from three-point range and turning 12 takeaways into 18 points the other way.

"We have a young group, and it's going to be a work in progress, but we had a good day," Miller said. 

Morningside hits the road with two games in Indiana, as it'll play Grace on Friday and Huntington on Saturday.