OMAHA, Neb. – After an even first quarter, Morningside University pulled away from College of Saint Mary by forcing 29 turnovers on the night in a 94-51 Great Plains Athletic Conference basketball victory Thursday at the Lied Fitness Center to begin the 2025 portion of the Flames' season.

The Mustangs' full-court pressure eventually took its toll on CSM (1-13 overall, 0-8 GPAC). After clinging to a 14-13 lead through the first nine minutes, Morningside (8-7, 6-3) scored the next 16 points to break it open, and led 43-22 at the half.

"In the beginning of the game I felt like we were pretty good in our press break,'' CSM coach Natalie Miller said. "(But as the game progressed) we just lacked discipline, overall. Our energy sometimes is at the mercy of if we hit shots or not. We've talked about just being consistent in what we can control.''

There were some bright spots for the Flames. Freshman Meghan Keil sank all five of her 3-point attempts in a 15-point night.

"She's just been really great energy-wise, discipline-wise, focus-wise, in practice,'' Miller said. "We knew she had the ability to shoot the ball. I think now she's had the time to catch up with the pace of the game and find those good shots.''

Junior Haley Debuse led CSM with 18 points, five rebounds and two blocks, hitting 6 of 15 from the field, including a 3-pointer, to go with 5 of 6 from the line.

"She's one that needs to have a lot of (field-goal) attempts on our team,'' Miller said. "She doesn't get down on herself. She has this incredible ability to just keep playing hard and believe that the next shot's going in.''

Led by Keil, CSM made 7 of 13 (53.8%) from beyond the arc, but canned just 10 of 35 (28.6%) from 2-point range.

Adriana McGee came off the bench to record seven points and eight rebounds, while Miller credited Maura Tichota with a good night defensively.

Lily Vollertsen led five players in double figures with 17 points for the Mustangs, who outrebounded the Flames 50-27, including a 21-3 edge on the offensive glass.

CSM will return to action Sunday with another GPAC game at Dakota Wesleyan, with tip time set for 3 p.m.