Hall hits buzzer-beater to top the Tigers

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — At first, Kinsey Hall wasn't sure it was real. Teammates surrounded her after the final horn Saturday, celebrating the shot that lifted Morningside to a 66-64 win over Doane, but it took a moment for the senior to process what had just happened.

Hall rebounded a missed layup under the home basket and put it back in as time expired, sealing the win and sending the Mustangs into their Florida holiday trip with a pair of victories.

With five seconds remaining, point guard Jaeden Webb found Lily Vollertsen just outside the paint. As two Doane defenders collapsed, Vollertsen kicked the ball to Clancy Brown, cutting down the right side. Brown's layup attempt hit the glass and rim before falling into Hall's hands.

Hall took care of the rest, and teammates rushed the floor after the ball dropped through the net, while head coach Jamie Sale and his staff raised their arms in celebration.

"That was probably the highlight of my (senior year)," Hall said. "I didn't think I got it up in time. It was awesome that it did. I soak in all the memories, and emotions, and I loved to get a win with my team."

Hall has become a starter this season for the Mustangs (9-3, 5-3 GPAC) after starting in the junior varsity ranks as a freshman, then her role slowly increased as a sophomore with 10 games, then she appeared in 28 last year. Those previous 38 appearances — which totaled 73 points — all came off the bench.

Her game-winner was point Nos. 99 and 100 this season for the Laurel, Nebraska, native. Sale has been pleased at the progression Hall has made since her freshman season.

"She's a very smart player," Sale said. "We can use her just about anywhere. We use her at the 3 or 4, or I can even play her at the 2 if we really needed to. Her versatility always makes an impact."

The game itself was tight throughout. Morningside's largest lead was nine early in the first quarter, and the teams combined for seven ties and 14 lead changes. The Mustangs led 34-33 at halftime, and neither team led by more than seven in the second half.

In the final two minutes, Webb made two free throws, Vollertsen scored on a layup with 33 seconds left, and Doane tied the game with 20 seconds remaining before Hall's decisive putback.

"We found a way to win," Sale said. "It was a grinder of a game. I think we started to settle in the second half, and we used our toughness to win."

Vollertsen led the Mustangs with 25 points, making 11 shots and garnering 13 rebounds. Hall scored 14. Webb also had seven assists.

"We kept digging in and that allowed us to get the win," Hall said. "We just kept leaning on each other and did what we needed to do."

The win capped a strong week for the Mustangs, who also knocked off No. 8 Briar Cliff on the road during Finals Week.

Morningside heads to West Palm Beach, Florida, next week to face Thomas at 11 a.m. Tuesday and Keiser at 1 p.m. Wednesday.