Second-half surge sends Mustangs to win

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – Morningside University sought a rebound from a tough start to the 2021-22 season on Wednesday, Nov. 10.

The Mustangs' home court inside venerable Allee Gymnasium of the Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center proved just what the doctor ordered. Head coach Jamie Sale's Mustangs overcame a game effort from visiting MidAmerica Nazarene, rolling to an 84-64 non-conference triumph.

Mside tallied 23 of the 30 third-quarter points as part of a 48-24 final 20 minutes roll. A span of two-of-13 shooting from the visitors in the third period helped spark the rally.

The final box score showed the Mustangs using a balanced attack. Senior guard Sierra Mitchell (Pleasant Hill, Iowa) and senior forward Sophia Peppers (Exira, Iowa) posted 17 points. Fellow Class of 2022 member Taylor Rodenburgh (Hawarden, Iowa) tallied 11, and junior guard McKenna Sims (South Sioux City, Neb.) wound up with 10.

Mitchell's night didn't end with her point total, either. She also dished off six assists and picked up two steals. Rodenburgh and Sims were also essential in similar categories, with Sims distributing a team-best seven assists and Rodenburgh picking off three steals to lead Mside.

Morningside (1-2) continues a four-game homestand Saturday, Nov. 13. It's the 2021-22 Great Plains Athletic Conference opener against Dakota Wesleyan University. Game time is 2 p.m. at Allee Gymnasium of the Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center and is followed by the Mustangs men's team tipping against the Tigers at 3:45 p.m.