RV Mustangs execute in second half to take road victory

HASTINGS, Neb. — Key shooting and 19 made second-half free throws allowed the Morningside men's basketball team to earn its ninth conference win of the season, with a 80-71 win over Hastings. 

After trailing by two at halftime, the Mustangs flipped the script in the second half with composure, execution, and a steady presence at the free-throw line. Morningside (12-5, 9-1 GPAC) went 19-of-23 from the stripe after the break, using those extra points to keep momentum firmly on its side down the stretch.

The Mustangs trailed by nine points early in the second half, but they erased it with a 23-6 run. In that stretch, Morningside posted 12 consecutive points. Kaden Van Regenmorter and Caleb Dreckman each contributed three points, then Brayden Dinkla gave the Mustangs with four straight. 

Daniel Brocaille hit one of his four 3-pointers to extend the lead, then Van Regenmorter closed the run with a jumper. Morningside led for the remainder. 

 Van Regenmorter scored seven of his 15 points in the final five minutes, including a strong finish in the paint and a three-point play that pushed the lead to double digits.

Brocaille finished with a team-high 16 points, while Van Regenmorter added 15 and Wilcoxson chipped in 12 points and seven assists. Dreckman also reached double figures with 12 points, including an 8-of-9 effort from the free-throw line.

Morningside shot 57 percent in the second half and forced Hastings into multiple late turnovers, turning defensive pressure into timely scoring opportunities.