Mustang
BASKETBALL WEDNESDAY, FEB. 23, 2022
Top-seeded Morningside University serves as one of four hosts in this evening’s opening round of the 2022 Great Plains Athletic Conference Championships. The Mustangs, hosting eighth-seeded Hastings College at Allee Gymnasium of the Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center, are joined by secondseeded Dordt University, third-seeded Dakota Wesleyan University, and fourth-seeded Northwestern College in playing home games. Dordt faces seventh-seeded University of Jamestown; Dakota Wesleyan takes on sixth-seeded Concordia University, and fourth-seeded NWC clashes with fifth-seeded Briar Cliff University. Semifinal round contests are set for Saturday, Feb. 26, at the highest remaining seeds.
THE SERIES/GPAC TOURNEY HISTORY Mside won both regular-season meetings, 82-77 at Hastings and 69-38 at home. The Broncos hold a slim 7-5 edge in recent history. However, head coach Jamie Sale’s program has a current four-game win streak in tow. Dating back through 2016-17, the Mustangs are 5-4 in league tourney action, including three straight victories and the 2021 title. They have a 31-13 all-time conference tournament mark with championships in 2021, 2016, 2013, 2009, 2006, and 2004.
THE MATCH-UP Morningside concluded their second straight 20-or-more triumph GPAC regular season with a 90-72 victory over Midland on Feb. 19. A 21-0 first quarter roll sparked the Senior Day 2022 win. Battling past the Warriors in a finale that featured 66 made field goals, 19 successfully converted three-point baskets, and 162 points, Sale’s Mustangs did find themselves down 6-4 early on before the string to give them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Guard Sierra Mitchell and forward Taylor Rodenburgh stepped to the forefront, playing their final home regular-season contest. Mitchell added 32 points, six assists, three rebounds, and two steals to an already-glowing career line. Rodenburgh double-doubled the Warriors with 21 points and 11 boards while dishing out two assists, picking up a steal, and blocking a shot. Sophomore post player Chloe Lofstrom almost added a second home team double-double. She finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. Hastings enters the quarterfinals on a roll. After the defeat in Sioux City, head coach Jina Douglas’ squad roared past Midland 83-68 and Northwestern 73-51 to wind up the regular season. The junior-freshman guard combination of Allison Bauer and Kiernan Paulk came off the bench for 27 points against NWC, with Paulk a perfect four-for-four from the field overall and three-for-three from outside the arc. Senior Taylor Beacom and freshman Riley Clavel combined for 25 points against Midland.