Cold-shooting Mustangs fall to Morningside

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- Mount Mercy was ice cold from long range in their return from the holiday break while third-ranked Morningside forced turnovers and knocked down 3-pointers in a 91-69 victory over the Mustangs in the opening round of the Mustang Holiday Classic, hosted by Morningside at the Rosen Verdoorn Sports Center.

Mount Mercy went 0-for-10 from 3-point range in the opening half and trailed, 41-24, at intermission. The Mustangs, who committed 22 turnovers, moved their offense inside the arc after the break and shot nearly 52 percent from the floor, including 2-of-5 from long distance. Morningside finished the game 13-of-30 (43.3%) from 3-point land.

Senior forward Tonya Davis led four Mustangs in double figures with 18 points. Junior forward Bria Fields added 16 points and a game-high nine rebounds in her debut for Mount Mercy (6-8). Junior guards Ashley Koch and Emily Greiner chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively. Junior guard Micha Mims tallied nine points, five assists, and three steals.

Chelsie Trask poured in a game-high 24 points to lead Morningside (12-2). Brittany Alfredson nailed four 3-pointers during a 16-point, nine-rebound evening. Emily Christen had 12 points and seven boards, Tanaeya Worden 11 points and four assists.

Mount Mercy faces Briar Cliff on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in the Allee Gym in the Rosen Verdoorn Sports Center on the Morningside campus.