Women's Basketball Downed at the Buzzer

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Morningside edged Doane 66-64 in a tightly contested GPAC women's basketball matchup Saturday afternoon at the Allee Gymnasium, handing the Tigers a narrow road loss at the buzzer despite strong performances from several starters. 

Doane (4-7, 2-5 GPAC) led after the opening quarter and traded momentum throughout, but the Mustangs (9-3, 5-3 GPAC) made just enough plays down the stretch to secure the two-point victory.

The Tigers opened the game with confidence, taking a 21-19 lead after the first quarter behind early scoring from Keeleigh Knobbe and Megan Chambers. Doane continued to battle through a physical second quarter, but Morningside used perimeter shooting to take a 34-33 edge into halftime.

Chambers led Doane with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting, adding five rebounds, two assists and a block in 37 minutes. Knobbe finished with 14 points, knocking down four 3-pointers, while Rylie Rice pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds to go with seven points.

Mattea Kassebaum chipped in 12 points, and Ella Johnson added eight rebounds for the Tigers, who outrebounded Morningside 38-31 and held a 22-18 edge in points in the paint.

The game remained tight throughout the third quarter, with Morningside maintaining a slim 49-44 lead entering the final 10 minutes. Doane made its push late, scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter and pulling within one possession multiple times. The Tigers tied the game at 64 with 20 seconds left only to have the Mustangs pickup an offensive rebound and putback at the buzzer to secure the win.

Morningside's Lily Vollertsen led all scorers with 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Kinsey Hall added 14 points for the Mustangs.

Doane shot 40 percent from the field and went 6-of-21 from beyond the arc, while Morningside countered with nine 3-pointers. The Mustangs was more efficient at the free-throw line, converting 9-of-12 attempts compared to the Tigers' 14-of-23.

The Tigers will look to bounce back as GPAC play continues next week as they travel to Yankton, S.D. Doane will tip-off against Mount Marty at 6:00 p.m.

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