Turnovers hurt Mustangs in road loss

PERU, Neb. - The Mount Mercy women's basketball team played a very even Heart of America Athletic Conference contest with Peru State (Neb.) on Thursday night at the Al Wheeler Activity Center. Teams were identical from behind the arc and each grabbed 47 rebounds, but the Mustangs came up short, falling to the Bobcats 63-51. 

Mount Mercy got off to a fast start with Madison Dreckman scoring seven of her nine points in the first quarter to give the Mustangs a five point advantage. The Bobcats opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run to take the lead and force a Mustang timeout. Sadie Struchen sunk a 3-pointer immediately after the timeout putting Mount Mercy in front 16-15. There were five more lead changes before the half, with Peru State scoring at the buzzer for the 30-28 lead at half. 

Both teams came out sluggish in the third quarter with Mount Mercy only scoring seven and Peru State 10. The Mustangs were within three, 40-37 just a minute into the fourth, but that was as close as they'd get to the Bobcats who used a 21-point fourth quarter to secure the win. Mount Mercy (8-11, 4-9 Heart) committed 15 of their 21 turnovers in the second half, allowing Peru State to score 18 points off those turnovers and extend their lead throughout the game. The Bobcats also went to the free throw line 30 times compared to just 12 for the Mustangs. 

Cristian Patron led Mount Mercy with 12 points off the bench. Annika Headington and Sammy Mia each added 11 points in their first game back from injury. Dreckman finished with a game-high 12 rebounds and Anais Bonnemaison grabbed 10 of her own. Maddy Duncan led Peru State (7-12, 3-10 Heart) with 16 points and made all four of the Bobcats' 3-pointers. 

Mount Mercy looks to end this three-game week with a win as they travel to MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) (12-5, 9-3 Heart) on Saturday, Jan. 21 for a 2:00 pm start at the Cook Center in Olathe, Kan.