Third Quarter Drought Dooms Warriors at Morningside

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Midland University traveled to Sioux City, Iowa to take on Morningside University in a Saturday afternoon Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) matchup. A third-quarter surge by the Mustangs doomed the Warriors' bid for their first conference win, falling 70-54 on the road.

Jenna Weber opened up the first quarter with a jump shot to start the half for the Warriors. After going back and forth, trading baskets, the game came to a 7-7 tie midway through the opening quarter. The Mustangs scored back-to-back layups to take the lead but the Warriors continued to battle with a pair of free throws from Emma Shepard and a jump shot by Weber. Morningside started to apply pressure by going on an 8-0 run to take the lead heading into the final minute of the quarter. A 4-2 run by Midland, with baskets from Kennedy Darner and Rubie Klausen, lessened the gap. Morningside led 17-14 after the first 10 minutes.

Aryannah Harrison got Midland started in the second quarter with a layup. The Mustangs started to heat back up with back-to-back layups, creating a little separation. A three-pointer by Sarah Shepard followed by a layup from Weber brought the game back to a 21-21 tie. Midland started to heat up offensively as it went on an 8-0 run to lead 29-21 heading into the final three minutes. Morningside closed the half with a 6-0 run, trailing by two at the intermission, 29-27.

After the break, the Mustangs exited the locker room on a mission. They started the third quarter with a 24-2 run. Harrison broke the Warriors' scoring drought of over six minutes with a jump shot and three-pointer. Morningside led comfortably heading into the final period, 53-38.

The teams matched each other's points at the start of the fourth quarter. The Warriors tried to battle back, going on a 7-0 run. The Mustangs came away with the 16-point home win thanks in part to their strong play during the third-quarter surge, 70-54.

Jenna Weber was the lone player in double figures for the Warriors with 10 points. Close behind were Gabby Beauperthuy and Aryannah Harrison with nine points each. Sarah Shepard tied a career-high with nine rebounds to lead Midland while Beauperthuy tied her career-high in assists with four.

For the game, Midland shot 21-of-61 (36.1%) while Morningside shot 26-of-76 (38.8%). The telling statistic of the game was points-off-turnovers. The Mustangs had 22 points while the Warriors had just 12.

Midland (2-9) will be idle until next weekend when they travel to face Nebraska Wesleyan in an exhibition on December 16 in Lincoln. The Warriors will head to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the 2023 Cruizin Classic. Midland will face Florida National (2-5) on Monday, Dec. 18, and then (RV) St. Thomas (6-2) on Wednesday, Dec. 20.