Three-point barrage bolts MSide past Dakota State

By Daniel VerSteeg, Morningside College sports information intern

MADISON, S.D. – Morningside College snuck out of Great Plains Athletic Conference play for the final time in the 2020-21 campaign Tuesday, Nov. 17. That move stepped them into a 3-1 record with a 74-67 victory at Dakota State at DSU Memorial Fieldhouse.

The Mustangs shot out of the gate on fire from three-point range, sinking their first four attempts. That gave head coach Jamie Sale's squad the burst of energy they needed to start the game off right.

"Those (three-point shots) were huge," said Sale. "We knew with their size that we were going to have to hit three-point shots and that it was going to be slim pickings inside."

Morningside went on to shoot seven-of-ten from three-point range in the first half but only led 40-39 heading into the locker room. Eleven first-half turnovers hurt the visitors and allowed the host Lady Trojans to stay within striking distance.

"Their length bothered us by getting into passing lanes at first," said Sale. "Then we just figured out some ways to get around that and got the ball inside more, and we were able to kick out as well."

Morningside saw its lead increase to 11 at the end of the third quarter thanks, again, to its skill from outside the arc. The Maroon hit four of nine third-quarter three-pointers to increase the advantage and didn't let go of for the rest of the game.

Five Mside players finished with 12 or more points in the win. Freshman forward Chloe Lofstrom (FR/Armstrong, Iowa) (Armstrong, Iowa) turned in career-best for points (15) and rebounds (eight). Coach Sale knows how tough the game can be to adjust to for incoming newcomers to the program.

"She (Lofstrom) is picking up the game quickly," said Sale. "There's a lot as a freshman that you need to work on, but she has the things we need, and she works at it every day."

Senior guards Faith Meyer (SR/Pomeroy, Iowa) (Pomeroy, Iowa) and Sierra Mitchell (SR/Pleasant Hill, Iowa) (Pleasant Hill, Iowa) led the Mustangs with 16 points each, but Mitchell's points had a little more significance. With her performance, she jumped past former teammate Sydney Hupp for 11^th on the career scoring list.

Tayte Hansen (SR/York, Neb.) (York, Neb.), another member of the deep upperclasswoman frontcourt, had a season-high 13 points off of the bench. Junior forward Sophia Peppers (JR/Exira, Iowa) (Exira, Iowa) stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, seven assists, and six rebounds.

"I think each game we're getting better, and this team has been so awesome about working hard every day," said Sale. "When a team does that, you're always going to get better."

The Mustangs begin three in a row on their home court inside Allee Gymnasium and the Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center Saturday, Nov. 21. Game time against Mount Marty University is 5 p.m.