Graceland Falls to Nebraska Wesleyan Despite Career Night from Morbidoni
LAMONI, Iowa — Despite a double-double from Ianara Morbidoni and a commanding presence on the glass, Graceland University (1-7, 0-2 Heart) fell to Nebraska Wesleyan (2-3, 0-0 ARC) on Saturday afternoon at the Morden Center, 86–76.
Graceland posted 53 total rebounds, including 27 offensive boards, outmatching Nebraska Wesleyan's 25 total rebounds. However, 22 turnovers and a 22 percent three-point shooting performance hindered the Yellowjackets' ability to convert second-chance opportunities into a win.
Morbidoni led the Yellowjackets with 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting, including five made three-pointers. She added five rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes of action. Sariah Bradley and Angelique Taylor added strong bench minutes, combining for 19 points and 15 rebounds, with Taylor notching a team-high 13 rebounds and 13 points.
"We competed on the boards and played hard, but we gave up too many second-chance looks defensively and struggled to value the basketball," said Head Coach Willie Scott. "We're seeing growth from our core, and we'll continue working to close the gap on both ends of the floor."
The game featured 11 lead changes and 6 ties, with Graceland leading 35–32 at the half after a strong second quarter. The Yellowjackets shot 40 percent in the second frame and held Nebraska Wesleyan to just 1-of-9 from the free throw line during that period.
However, Nebraska Wesleyan surged in the fourth quarter, outscoring Graceland 29–22 and shooting 63.6 percent from the field, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Peyton Tritz led all scorers with 29 points, including 4-of-8 from three and 13-of-16 from the line. Her eight fourth-quarter free throws sealed the game after Nebraska pushed its lead to as many as 14 with just over three minutes to play.
Graceland's bench unit scored 27 points, a season high, and outrebounded Nebraska Wesleyan 32–6 in second-chance points, a stat that highlighted their intensity and effort.
Oliviya Tinoco added 12 points, including a key three-pointer in the third quarter that helped Graceland maintain a slim lead before Nebraska Wesleyan's closing run. Nateonia Russell was efficient at the point, dishing out seven assists to just three turnovers and grabbing eight rebounds.
Graceland will look to bounce back in Heart of America Athletic Conference play on Tuesday, November 25, at 5:30 p.m. CST, as they travel to face Grand View University at Siegrist Hall in Des Moines, Iowa.
For more information on Graceland women's basketball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.