Mustangs unable to keep up with No. 1 Dordt

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa — The Morningside women's basketball team gave top-ranked Dordt an early scare on Wednesday, but the Mustangs fell to the Defenders, 74-61.

The Mustangs (10-8, 5-7 GPAC) leapt out to an 11-1 lead in the first 3 minutes, 31 seconds. Clancy Brown — who led the Mustangs with 13 points — hit two 3-pointers during the hot start, while Lily Vollertsen started the scoring with a 3-ball of her own. Brown also made a mid-range jumper through that stretch. Vollertsen scored 11 points, and she hit all four free throws attempted.

Morningside went on a 20-8 run in the second half. The Mustangs outscored the Defenders 25-10 over the final 10 minutes.

Morningside was 8 of 11 during the fourth quarter, and it made all seven free-throw attempts.

"I hope it gives us confidence going forward," said head coach Jamie Sale on KMNS-AM. "I thought our ball rotation was much better during the second half."

Freshman Jaelyn Marienau hit four 3s for a 12-point game, her first points while at Morningside.

"Her decision-making is very good," Sale said of Marienau. "Coming off an ACL injury is hard, and I thought if we could get anything out of her this year, that would have been a bonus. As a freshman, I've been very proud of how she's done."

Jaeden Webb led the Mustangs with five rebounds, while Kinsey Hall had a team-high four assists.

Morningside returns home Saturday for a standalone 2 p.m. contest against College of Saint Mary.