Mustangs knock off second top 20 team in as many days

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Morningside entered day two of the inaugural Small College Basketball Champions Classic as the underdog for the second time in as many games, lining up against Indiana Wesleyan University, who is ranked no. 14 in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics men's basketball. The Mustangs, repeating yesterday's feat against no. 16 Carroll, defeated IWU 85-61.

Morningside took the lead after just over five minutes of play in the first half in Northern State's Wachs Arena, as Ely Doble got an offensive rebound and put the ball back up for two points, taking a 15-14 lead. 

The Mustangs wouldn't look back as Brendan Buckley made the next bucket, followed by Doble again. Joey Skoff, and Jack Dotzler would make it 23-14 before the Wildcats would score again. The lead would get cut to five points, but Morningside remained on top, opening up to as much as a 28-point lead with under six minutes to play in the contest.

Doble led the way on offense for the Mustangs, with 24 points. Dotzler recorded 21, and Skoff 18. Doble and Dotzler would also lead in the rebounds column, with nine and six, respectively.

At the conclusion of the classic, it was announced that Skoff and Dotzler were named to the 2022 SCB Champions Classic Team and Doble was named the classic MVP.

Morningside is at Doane University on Tuesday, scheduled for a 7:45 p.m. tip with the Tigers.