BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Seventh-ranked Morningside College shot 59.6 percent from the field and hit 15-of-29 3-pointers as the Mustangs dealt the Bellevue University women's basketball team a 95-67 loss in non-conference action Tuesday night at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.
Bellevue fell to 10-7 on the season with the loss. Morningside improved to 14-4 overall.
Elexis Martinez led the Bruins with 17 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Brittany Hill added 11 points and a pair of steals. Faith Ross was the third Bruin in double figures, finishing with 10 points, along with two rebounds and a steal.
Sierra Mitchell led four Mustangs in double figures, finishing with 18 points, five assists, and two rebounds. Sophia Peppers added 12 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Taylor Rodenburgh contributed with 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
The Mustangs raced out to a quick 19-4 lead in the first five minutes of the contest, nailing 7-of-12 shots in the early going. Eight different Mustangs scored as MC took a 30-19 lead after the first quarter on 66.7 percent (12-of-18) shooting from the field. Hill kept BU in the game in the opening 10 minutes, drilling all three of her 3-point attempts.
Two-straight 3-pointers gave the Mustangs a 40-21 advantage with 7:21 left in the second frame. And two-consecutive triples by Mitchell helped propel MC to a 55-30 lead at halftime.
The Mustangs drained eight 3-pointers in the first half and were 21-of-30 from the field for a sizzling 70 percent shooting percentage. Mitchell led MC in the first half with 16 points and three assists.
Hill finished the first half with nine points for the Bruins.
After Martinez scored the first four points of the second half, the Mustangs reeled off 10-straight points to take a commanding 65-34 lead with 7:16 left in the third before settling for a 78-47 advantage heading into the final quarter.
A pair of free throws by Lexi Allen pulled BU to within 27 points at 90-63 with 2:55 left in the contest before the Mustangs cruised to the 95-67 victory.
The Bruins will resume conference play on Friday, Jan. 10 when they travel to Dickinson, N.D. to take on Dickinson State University at 6:30 p.m. (central time).
