SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- The Bellevue University women's basketball team shot just 31.3 percent from the field and committed 21 turnovers as BU fell to No. 12 Morningside University, 91-45, in non-conference action Saturday afternoon at Allee Gymnasium.
The Bruins fell to 3-6 on the season with the loss. Morningside improved to 4-2 overall.
Bellevue was led by Elexis Martinez, who finished with nine points and seven rebounds. Lexi Allen finished with nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from behind the arc.
As a team, BU was just 5-of-22 in 3-point field-goal attempts.
Chloe Lofstrom and Taylor Rodenburgh paced the Mustangs with 18 points apiece. Lofstrom added eight rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Sophia Peppers scored 16 points and Sierra Mitchell was the fourth Mustang in double figures, finishing with 10 points along with three assists and a pair of steals.
Bellevue led just once in the contest as Martinez started off the game with a layup 13 seconds into the action. MU responded with a 5-0 run and led 21-15 after the opening 10 minutes of play.
Rodenburg led the Mustangs in the opening quarter with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from behind the arc. Allen scored six of her nine points in the first frame.
The Bruins hit just 2-of-13 shots in the second quarter as the Mustangs built a 36-19 halftime advantage.
MU scored 30 points in the third frame, going 9-of-13 from the field while draining three triples and going 9-of-12 from the charity stripe, as MU pulled away 66-36 heading into the final stanza.
Morningside stayed hot in the fourth quarter, nailing 10-of-16 shots, including a 4-of-5 effort from behind the arc as the Mustangs cruised to the 46-point victory.
The Bruins will travel to Warrensburg, Mo. on Monday, Nov. 22, for a 6 p.m. exhibition contest at the University of Central Missouri.
