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Hope International University

MBB vs Morningside
77
Hope International HOPE INT 22-8, 10-4
86
Winner Morningside MORNINGS 25-7, 14-6
Hope International HOPE INT
22-8, 10-4
77
Final
86
Morningside MORNINGS
25-7, 14-6
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Hope International HOPE INT 39 38 77
Morningside MORNINGS 40 46 86

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Robert Nilsen

Royals Fall in Tough Battle With Mustangs in NAIA Opening Round

Mishawaka, IN - The Hope International University men's basketball team (22-8) couldn't keep up late as they fell to the fifth seeded Morningside University Mustangs 86-77 to open up play at the NAIA Opening Round on the road in Mishawaka, IN.

The Mustangs would jump out to an early 7-3 lead but the Royals came storming back as they generated multiple turnovers going on an 11-0 run finished off by an Aaron Wadman layup to take a 14-7 lead with 14:50 to go. The Royals lead was also helped by hot shooting from CJ Fisher who started off 3-for-3 from three point range. The Mustangs would make it 14-12 but again the Royals answered well with a 7-3 run finished off by a big three from Cameron Dashiell to put the Royals up 21-15 with 11:55 left. The Mustangs would quickly rally to tie the game 21-21 midway through the half. Sii then put the Royals back ahead as the teams swapped buckets and the lead multiple times. Nick Hopkins would put the Royals back ahead 31-30 off a free throw with 6:08 to go. The Mustangs would come right back to take a 39-34 lead with 1:47 remaining. The Royals quickly answer as as Hopkins layup and a huge three from Jonah Felix tied it 39-39. The Mustangs would then hit a late free throw as the Royals trailed 40-39 at halftime.

The Royals quickly retook the lead to start the half as Sii nailed a jumper to make it 41-40. The Mustangs kept right on the Royals heels until a tip in by Fisher and a layup by Dashiell extended the Royals lead to 50-46 with 16:30 remaining. The Mustangs would rally to take a 55-50 lead but the Royals kept it close as Wadman came up with clutch baskets to keep the Royals in it as he drained a three to make it 59-58 with 10:41 left. The Mustangs would answer as they extended their lead to 63-58 but the Royals rallied as it was Wadman again putting them up 64-63 with 6:51 to go. The Mustangs would go on to extend their lead back out to 73-67 but the Royals didn't back down easily as Hopkins and Wadman got them within 73-71 with 3:51 to go. The Mustangs had all the answers though as the Royals were unable to rally with them falling 86-77. Wadman led the Royals with 20 points while Sii added 19. 

After the game Head Coach Bill Czech added, "We battled all year long. They stuck together. They were tough. It's been a great group of guys to coach. We never once had a bad practice and they're all gentleman. They're great Christian student athletes and that's what we want here at HIU and they represented our school in those three areas in the highest possible way at all times. So thank you to all of them."
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