Hot-shooting Mustangs best Park

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Mount Mercy women's basketball team jumped out to an 18-point first half lead and never trailed Saturday afternoon in an 83-73 Heart of America Athletic Conference victory over Park at Hennessey Rec. Center.

The Mustangs (7-5, 3-4 Heart) shot a blistering 54.7 percent (29-for-53) overall, including 52.9 percent (9-for-17) from 3-point range. The Pirates (3-9, 1-6 Heart) shot just 39.1 percent (27-for-69) overall and 37.5 percent (6-for-16) from beyond the arc.

Mount Mercy took its largest lead, 40-22, on a Sammy Mia jump shot with 6:23 to play in the second quarter. Mia led the Mustangs with 22 points. Madison Dreckman scored 17 points while pulling down eight rebounds and doling out five assists. Annika Headington had six assists to go along with six points and five rebounds. Marissa Brantley added 12 points off the bench, going 4-for-5 from deep.

Park narrowed Mount Mercy's lead to one point at 60-59 on an Iva Drobnjak layup just before the end of the third quarter. Makayla Artis drained two free throws with 9:40 to play to make the score 62-61, but Mount Mercy closed the game on a 21-12 run to secure the 10-point win.

Drobnjak had a game-high 25 points for the Pirates and Artis had a double-double with 11 points and a game-best 13 rebounds.

The Mustangs close out 2022 with a non-conference game at St. Ambrose (7-4) on Thursday, Dec. 29. Tipoff against the Bees is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Davenport, Iowa at Lee Lohman Arena.