Women's Basketball Erases 10-Point 4th Quarter Deficit to Top Mustangs

Women's Basketball hosted Morningside on Saturday afternoon in Crete. The Mustangs have controlled the all-time series since joining the GPAC but on this day, it was the Tigers who walked away with a 73-71 victory. It was the team's first win over the Mustangs since the GPAC Tournament in 2017 and the first win in the regular season since 2005.

Doane started strong and led the majority of the opening quarter, going up by five points, 12-7, following back-to-back 3-point baskets from Macy Holtz and Addie Hatcliff. However, Morningside would end the quarter on an 8-0 run to take an 18-15 lead after 10 minutes. The second quarter was back-and-forth, though the Mustangs would lead the majority of the time. Doane finished the quarter strong with a 7-2 run, including a 3-point basket from Libby Trausch as time expired, to take a 34-31 lead into the half.

Morningside broke a 39-all tie with a 3-point basket with 5:21 to play in the third quarter and would lead the Tigers for the remainder of the quarter. Megan Chambers cut the Doane deficit in half with a three-point play with four seconds remaining and the Mustangs led 51-48 entering the final 10 minutes.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Morningside utilized a 7-0 run to go up by 10 points, 64-54, with 5:47 to play. The Tigers were able to lock in defensively which allowed the offense to chip away. Mak Hatcliff started the rally with a jumper which was followed by a 3-point basket from Addie Hatcliff to cut the Mustang lead down to five points. Morningside made two free throws with 2:57 to play only to be held scoreless for the next two minutes as the Tigers went on a 9-0 run, started by a 3-point basket from Maddie Portwine. Two Mustang free throws would tie the game at 68-all with 42 seconds left.

Doane regained the lead on a made free throw by Holtz with 34 seconds left. Following a defensive stop, Mak Hatcliff made two free throws to extend the lead. Another Doane stop would result in Kaylee Klover going to the free throw line and making two free throws to go up by five points with 10 seconds to play. Morningside was able to get a quick 3-point basket to cut the Doane lead with 7.5 seconds left. However, the Mustangs tried to trap the Tigers on the inbounds pass and Doane was able to pass out of the trap and avoid a foul attempt as time ran off. Morningside made 1-of-7 field goals to end the game.

Holtz led the Tigers with 17 points while Portwine and Chambers added 15 points apiece. Trausch had a team-high nine rebounds. Klover led the team with six assists with Holtz and Trausch adding four apiece. Chambers had three blocked shots while Klover had three steals to lead the defense.

Morningside received 22 points from Lily Vollertsen and 15 points from Chaise Pfanstiel.

Doane will host No. 14 Concordia on Wednesday, January 8, at 6 PM.