Mustangs extend GPAC lead, series streak
SIOUX CITY, IOWA – A 26-9 run that spanned nearly seven minutes of the second half turned the tide in Great Plains Athletic Conference play Wednesday, Jan. 5.
SIOUX CITY, IOWA – A 26-9 run that spanned nearly seven minutes of the second half turned the tide in Great Plains Athletic Conference play Wednesday, Jan. 5.
With a gritty College of Saint Mary squad keeping the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' No. 10-ranked Morningside University within arm's reach throughout the first half and into the second, head coach Jamie Sale's team turned to a veteran presence in the form of senior forward Sophia Peppers (Exira, Iowa). Peppers helped guide the binge that turned a one-point deficit into a 16-point lead to the delight of the home crowd gathered at Allee Gymnasium of the Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center.
She concluded an evening worth remembering with a single-game personal best 29 points to go with 13 rebounds, four blocked shots, five assists, and five steals. The blocked shot compilation was also a single-game personal best, while the steals numbers tied Peppers' single-game career-high.
Senior guard Sierra Mitchell (Pleasant Hill, Iowa) and sophomore center Chloe Lofstrom (Armstrong, Iowa) also contributed big stat lines in the 78-58 victory. Mitchell closed within 25 points of setting a new career points record for the program, tallying 19 with a heavy perimeter shooting flavor as she hit five-of-10 three-point attempts. Lofstrom made things tough inside for the Flames, as did Peppers, producing 10 points, five rebounds, and two blocked shots.
Increasing their league lead to a game and a half and remaining unbeaten all-time against CSM, Sale's squad improved to 12-3 overall and 8-1 in the conference. Mside returns to the road in loop action Saturday, Jan. 8, traveling to Midland University for a 2 p.m. tip-off.
NOTES: Peppers moved into a tie for 18th on the all-time scoring chart with Lerlean Johnson (1980-84) (1,288) … It was her third 20-point-plus effort in the last eight contests, during which she is averaging 16.25 points per outing.