Mustangs fall to RV Red Raiders at home

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Morningside had its chances late, but Northwestern made a few more plays down the stretch as the Mustangs fell 86-80 on Wednesday night at Allee Gym.

The Mustangs (6-3, 2-3 GPAC) trailed 41-37 at halftime and spent much of the third quarter trading baskets with the Red Raiders. A late Northwestern surge pushed the deficit to 62-54 before Morningside responded with four quick points to make it a game heading into the fourth.

Northwestern opened the final period on a 7-2 run and built a double-digit lead, but the Mustangs refused to go away. Lily Vollertsen led the Mustangs with a team-high 25 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Kinsey Hall added 20 points, attacking the rim throughout the night and going 8-for-10 at the free-throw line. Morningside forced 24 turnovers.

Jordyn Carr added nine points and six assists off the bench. Dani Peterson had eight rebounds, including three offensively. Jaeden Webb's layup with under a minute left cut the deficit to 81-76, but Northwestern closed it out at the stripe.

Even on a night when shots didn't always fall, the Mustangs kept themselves firmly in it with a 44-38 advantage in the paint.

Morningside returns to action Saturday in Omaha against College of Saint Mary.