Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – Coming off a win earlier in the week, Midland University hosted Morningside University on Saturday afternoon inside the Wikert Event Center, searching for a third-straight home victory. In a back-and-forth Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), the Warriors fell short, losing to the Mustangs, 76-68.
Morningside set the tone with a strong 11-0 opening run, putting immediate pressure on the home team. Kennedy Darner came off the bench to end the Warriors’ scoreless streak with a three-pointer just ahead of a layup by Jenna Weber. The Mustangs continued to build their lead with a 5-0 run and took a 16-8 advantage after the first quarter.
In the second, the Mustangs used a 7-2 start to maintain their momentum. Rubie Klausen and Emma Shepard sparked a 9-3 run for the Warriors with back-to-back three-pointers. As the teams exchanged points, Morningside secured a last-minute layup and took a 34-25 lead into halftime.
After the intermission, the sides continued to trade baskets. A 5-0 run by the Mustangs stretched their lead but the Warriors were determined to lessen the gap as they went on an 8-0 run. Back-to-back three-pointers by Emma Shepard and Darner pulled Midland to within a possession, 43-40, with 1:38 to go in the third. A 6-0 run by the Mustangs boosted their lead back to nine before a three from Sarah Shepard pulled the Warriors back in as the quarter ended.
The Mustangs continued to bring the pressure opening up the final quarter with a 7-4 run. The Warriors fought back, firing three consecutive three-pointers by Aryannah Harrison, Weber, and Emma Shepard. Midland continued to battle as they matched points down the stretch. Gabby Beauperthuy hit a three-pointer to bring it to a two-point contest with 1:44 left to go, 68-65.
As the Warriors strategized to fouls and put the Mustangs at the line, to extend the number of possessions at the end of the game, their comeback attempt fell short as they took a tough loss to 76-68.
Emma Shepard led Midland with 17 points. She was followed by Jenna Weber with 12 and Beauperthuy with 11. Weber added seven rebounds to lead the team while Emma Sheppard dished out five assists to lead the Warriors.
For the game, Midland shot 23-of-53 (43.44%) while Morningside was 24-of-56 (42.9%). The Warriors were 14-of-28 (50%) behind the arc, setting a new season high in made three-pointers. The telling stats of the game were turnovers and points off of them. The Mustangs collected 31 points off of the Warriors’ 23 turnovers.
“I didn’t think we executed very well. Way too many turnovers in the first half,” said head coach Shawn Gilbert after the game. “I thought in the second half we got into more high-low stuff. We battled and got it back to two or three, a couple of really key offensive rebounds for them gave them extra time. Give Morningside credit, they scrap. I was proud of our kids. How we played, how we guarded, and we shot it better. Those are encouraging signs but you can’t give Morningside 31 points off turnovers and expect to win the game.”
Midland (5-13, 2-10 GPAC) will host Doane (12-6,7-5 GPAC) next week on Wednesday night. The teams will take the court inside the Wikert Event Center at 6:00 p.m. on January 24. The game will be part of the Coaches vs. Cancer program in collaboration with the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society.
