Vikings own fourth quarter, edge Mustangs

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Mount Mercy took a three-point lead into the fourth quarter but Missouri Valley owned the decisive final period to edge the Mustangs, 68-61, in a Heart of America Athletic Conference women's basketball game Saturday afternoon at Hennessey Recreation Center.

The visiting Vikings (2-3, 1-3 Heart) held an advantage before the contest even started, having already played four games. Saturday's game was basically the season opener for the Mustangs (0-1, 0-1 Heart), who saw their season halted by COVID-19 concerns after an exhibition game against Emmaus on Nov. 3.

Cristian Patron (JR/North Ridge, Calif.) led three Mustangs in double figures with 13 points to go along with three steals. Kyla Richardson (JR/Maywood, Ill.) added 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds and Sarah Moffett (SR/Mount Pleasant, Iowa) 11 points and six boards. Sammy Mia (SO/Cedar Rapids, Iowa) narrowly missed double digits, finishing with eight points and three steals.

Shanelle Tolley and Hannah Stephens posted double-doubles for Missouri Valley. Tolley had game-highs of 19 points and 16 rebounds while Stephens ended up with 13 points and 12 boards. Shalina Harper chipped in 12 points, Demetria Heard 11 points. Ariel Miller scored seven points and was the third Viking with double-digit rebounds, pulling down 11 boards to help Missouri Valley to a 53-41 advantage on the glass.

Mount Mercy hosts 13th-ranked Clarke (4-1, 2-1 Heart) on Monday at 5:30 p.m. at Hennessey Rec Center, then travels to Des Moines to take on Grand View (7-1, 3-0 Heart) on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 2:00 p.m.