Mustangs drop double overtime thriller

FOREST CITY, Iowa - Trailing 36-25 at the break, the Mount Mercy women's basketball team outscored Waldorf in the final two periods to force overtime. But just one five minute quarter was not enough to decide a winner and a second overtime quarter was needed. The Warriors outlasted the Mustangs come-from-behind push, defeating Mount Mercy 84-78 on Saturday evening at the Hanson Fieldhouse in non-conference action. 

Madison Dreckman scored nine of her game-high 16 points in the third, helping to lead Mount Mercy to win the quarter 22-14. Back-to-back layups by Malie Marfil and Madison Skelton saw the Mustangs take their first lead of game, 51-50, since the first quarter. Waldorf (3-1) went back up by seven, but Mount Mercy continued to chip away. With just over a minute remaining, Annika Headington sunk two free throws to tie the game, 65-65, which is how regulation would end. In the first overtime period, Mount Mercy held a five-point advantage after a Dreckman layup, but the Warriors held the Mustangs to just one point over the two minutes setting up Sandra Christian's three-pointer with seven seconds remaining to send the game into the second overtime period. The Warriors carried over their momentum and outscored the Mustangs 11-5 in the final overtime quarter to get the win. 

Despite only committing 14 turnovers to the Warriors' 20, the Mustangs couldn't overcome their early 14-point deficit they faced. All five starters for Mount Mercy reached double figures, led by Dreckman with 16. Headington finished with 15, Marfli 13, Skelton 11, and Anais Bonnemaison 10. Dreckman and Headington each grabbed eight rebounds, while Marfil picked up four steals. Tatum Griffin connected on three long balls from behind the arc to add nine points off the bench to go along with three rebounds and two steals. Karlie Krogman added four points and five boards coming off the bench as well. 

Mount Mercy (1-1) continues their early season road stint with an exhibition against Western Illinois at 7:00 pm on Monday, Nov. 6 before a matchup against Viterbo (Wis.) (0-2) on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 2:00 pm at the R.W. Briggs, Sr. Gymnasium in La Crosse, Wis. to close out their non-conference schedule.