Vikings thwart Mustang upset bid

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Mount Mercy put themselves in position for the biggest victory of the season so far, but Grand View climbed out of a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to edge the Mustangs, 75-70, in a Heart of America Athletic Conference women's basketball game Wednesday night at Hennessey Recreation Center.

It was Mount Mercy's second matchup in a row against a team either ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Women's Basketball Top 25 Poll. The Mustangs fell at eighth-ranked Clarke on Monday before Wednesday's battle with a Grand View squad receiving votes in this week's rankings. Mount Mercy dipped to 5-10 overall and 5-9 in the Heart while the Vikings improved to 16-6 and 12-5 in the league.

Sammy Mia (SO/Cedar Rapids, Iowa) poured in 20 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead the Mustangs. Kyla Richardson (JR/Maywood, Ill.) added 14 points and a team-high eight boards while Chailey Cabalis (SR/Keaau, Hawaii) chipped in nine points and three steals.

Shannon Pisney had a huge game for the Vikings, totaling 30 points and 13 rebounds. She was joined in double figures by McKenna Monahan with 14 points to go along with four rebounds while Mia Rosener talled 12 points, six boards, and three blocks.

Mount Mercy takes on Benedictine this weekend, traveling to Atchison, Kan., on Saturday for a noon tip-off at Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.