SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Two meetings less than three weeks apart unfolded in very different ways. A rough second quarter had the fifth-ranked Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball team playing from behind all Wednesday (Dec. 4) night in an upset win for host Morningside. The Mustang zone defense limited the Bulldogs to 38.0 percent shooting in a 70-56 signature victory claimed by Morningside inside the Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad had been idle since its 92-41 blowout of Midland on Nov. 26. Concordia slipped to 5-3 (3-2 GPAC).
An 11-0 run put together by the Mustangs in the second quarter put the Bulldogs in a hole they never recovered from. A tie game at the end of the first quarter gave way to a 13-point Morningside lead (42-29) at the break. Offensively, Concordia never looked comfortable in the face of an aggressive zone, and its rebounding struggles (34-23 disadvantage) added to the frustration.
The contest was a complete reversal of the Nov. 16 meeting that took place inside Friedrich Arena. The Bulldogs won that matchup by a 74-62 score and led by as many as 17 points. In Wednesday’s clash, the Mustangs built a lead as large as 20 points (55-35) behind a 21-point outing from Alexis Spier. A triple from Abby Krieser late in the third quarter got Concordia within 16 (56-40), providing a sliver of hope before Morningside closed the door.
A bright spot on Wednesday was the continued strong play of freshman Makynna Robbins off the bench. The Houston native provided a spark with eight points and two steals in 10 minutes of action. Krieser led her side with 10 points to go along with three rebounds and three steals. JJ Jones and Kristin Vieselmeyer added eight points apiece and Raelyn Kelty notched six points, four assists and three steals. Point guard Kendal Brigham collected four rebounds and three assists.
Morningside (5-4, 3-2 GPAC) endured some speed bumps in the form of 22 turnovers while up against the Bulldog press. The Mustangs overcame those miscues with efficient shooting – 51.0 percent from the floor, 56.3 percent from 3-point range and 78.6 percent (11-for-14) from the foul line. Spier was joined in double figures by Chaise Pfanstiel (12) and Ella Wragge (10). Morningside snapped a six-game series losing streak to Concordia.
The Bulldogs will be back inside Friedrich Arena on Saturday to host 12th-ranked Briar Cliff (7-1, 3-1 GPAC) at 2 p.m. CT. Concordia won two (both at home) of three meetings with the Chargers during the 2023-24 season. Briar Cliff advanced to the 2024 NAIA national quarterfinals.