Mustangs fend off Bobcats

PERU, Neb. - The Mount Mercy women's basketball lead after every quarter and fought off a feisty Peru State team who tried to claw their way back. The Mustangs picked up their first win in Heart of America Athletic Conference play on Saturday, defeating the Bobcats 59-55 at the Al Wheeler Activity Center. 

A five-point swing from Madison Skelton at the end of the first period set the momentum for the second where the Mustangs doubled up the Bobcats. It was Annika Headington's turn for a run of her own in the second. She was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field including draining a trey. She scored 10 of her 17 points in this frame, giving Mount Mercy a 33-23 lead at halftime. 

Peru State (4-2, 1-1 Heart) held Mount Mercy to their lowest quarter total (12) of the game and got within four after the third. Skelton's layup to open the fourth saw the Mustangs lead extend to six, 47-41, and later to nine, 53-44, after a Madison Dreckman 3-pointer. Peru State shut Mount Mercy down for almost the final four minutes, making it a one possession game with just thirty seconds remaining. The Mustangs would go 3-for-6 at the free throw stripe, good enough to hold off the Bobcats. 

Headington and Dreckman each recorded double-doubles. Headington finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Dreckman added 15 points and 14 boards. Malie Marfil added 12 points and Skelton 11 to go along with three steals. The two teams each knocked down 21 field goals, but it was the Mustangs slight free throw advantage (11-8) that proved to be the difference. 

Mount Mercy (3-2, 1-1 Heart) is back at home for their first Heart contest at Hennessey Rec Center on Tuesday, Nov. 21 as they host William Penn (2-5, 1-2 Heart) at 5:30 pm.