Pioneers eliminate Mustangs from postseason

OLATHE, Kan. -- The season came to a close for Mount Mercy on Thursday night as MidAmerica Nazarene won every quarter and defeated the Mustangs, 85-55, in the quarterfinals of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Championship at the Cook Center.

A fast start by the Pioneers (18-10), the second seed out of the Heart's South Division, was too much for the Mustangs (13-18), the three seed from the North Division, to overcome. MidAmerica Nazarene moves on to the semifinals on Saturday against top-seeded and 14th-ranked Clarke (27-4) at noon at the Kehl Center in Dubuque.

Kennedi Fulwylie poured in a team-high 16 points off the bench in her final game with the Mustangs. Sammy Mia was Mount Mercy's only other double-digit scorer with 11 points to go along with three steals. Kyla Richardson added eight points, McKenzie Stoehr seven. Annika Headington grabbed a team-best seven boards.

Trel'Shawn Smith's career- high 27 points led all scorers. She also pulled down nine rebounds and collected five steals. Makayla Gooch chipped in 18 points, Lydia Ostenson 10.