Jan. 19, 2008

HASTINGS, Neb. -  NAIA No. 1 Morningside (Iowa) edged 22-ranked Hastings (Neb.) College 86-85 before an estimated 1,700 at Lynn Farrell Arena Saturday (Jan. 19).

Morningside (20-0 overall, 9-0 Great Plains Athletic Conference) was clinging to a 84-82 edge when Bronco Waid Vontz fired a three-pointer with 4.3 seconds left in the game. The Mustangs rebounded the miss and Jack Rother hit two free throws to secure the win.

The teams fought back and forth in the second half. Morningside reversed the Broncos 52-40 halftime lead into a 69-63 advantage of its own on Jack Rother's two free throws with 9:40 left in the game.

Hastings (16-5, 6-3) quickly countered with an 8-0 run capped by Derrik Spooner's 25-foot three-pointer with 8:10 left to go ahead 71-69.

Morningside senior Shane Michael stroked consecutive three-pointers to spark the Mustangs back to an 81-76 bulge with 4:01 left.

The Broncos dominated the first half, shooting 57.1 percent from the field (16 of 28) while laying claim to a 52-40 edge.

Scott Wissing ignited Hastings with 19 first-half points, hitting 7 of 8 shots from the floor, including two three-pointers.

Hastings was led by Wissing's 22 points. Jeremiah Slough and Michael Etzelmiller each chipped in 17 points and Spooner added 14.

Morningside was paced by Rother's 19 points, while Shane Michael and Nick Thompson added 15 each and Seth Atkins tossed in 14 points.