'Our ultimate goal is still intact' after GPAC Tournament loss

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The Morningside men's basketball team on Saturday fell to Concordia in the Great Plains Athletic Conference semifinals, 92-87. 

"Our ultimate goal is still intact," said head coach Trent Miller. "We've had a tremendous regular season. Now it's time to go do something in the national tournament. I wouldn't want to do it with any other group." 

Morningside (22-7) erased a seven-point halftime deficit and briefly grabbed the lead midway through the second half, but Concordia answered with timely 3-point shooting and steady work at the free-throw line to close it out.

Alex Wilcoxson led the Mustangs with 22 points, hitting five 3-pointers and adding seven rebounds and five assists. Kaden Van Regenmorter added 19 points and five rebounds, while Caleb Dreckman finished with 12. Fitzy Grant chipped in 13 points off the bench.

The Mustangs shot 52 percent from the field and knocked down 10 3-pointers.

Morningside outscored Concordia 47-45 in the second half, trimming the deficit to one point with under a minute remaining. A late 3-pointer from Wilcoxson made it 88-87 with 59 seconds left, but Concordia converted four free throws in the final seconds to seal the result.

Morningside will now await its postseason assignment next week to find out where and who it will be playing in the NAIA men's basketball tournament that begins March 13 nationwide. 

"How we respond is going to be telling," Miller said. "Every time we've had a bump in the road, this team has responded really well. We have a couple extra days of rest to get right."