Mustangs earn season sweep of Yellowjackets

LAMONI, Iowa - For the second time this season, the Mount Mercy women's basketball defeated Graceland, this time on the road at the Morden Center in a Heart of America Athletic Conference clash. Clutch free throws down the stretch from Annika Headington gave the Mustangs the 74-67 win Wednesday night.

The two teams shot the ball fairly evenly, Mount Mercy was at 36.9 percent (24-for-65) for the night and Graceland ended at 35.8 percent (24-for-67), but the Mustangs drained six more 3-pointers than the Yellowjackets. 

The first half featured eight lead changes and four ties, not allowing either team to lead by more than four. Free throws from Headington gave the Mustangs the advantage heading into the break, 28-25. A deadlocked third quarter kept the Mustangs up by a possession, 52-49, with the final period to play. 

A layup by Sammy Mia gave Mount Mercy their first double-digit lead, 61-51 with just under eight minutes to play. Graceland (9-14, 4-13 Heart) slowly crawled their way back into the game, cutting Mount Mercy's lead to 70-67 with 50 seconds remaining. The Yellowjackets went 0-for-4 from the free throw stripe and couldn't connect on a 3-pointer, allowing Headington to knock down four consecutive free throws and secure the win. 

Headington scored 18, going 12-for-14 from the free throw line, while collecting seven rebounds and four assists. Mia also finished with 18 points and three assists. The Mustangs assisted on 18 of their 24 field goals. Graceland put four of their five starters in double figures, led by Kailey Boden with 18, but Mount Mercy's bench outscored them 21-11. 

The Mustangs stay on the road this weekend, traveling to Benedictine (Kan.) (7-16, 4-13 Heart) on Saturday, Feb. 4 for a conference game tipping at noon in Atchison.