Mustangs outlast V-Hawks for third win

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Mount Mercy women's basketball team picked up its third home win of the season Saturday, topping Viterbo (Wis.) 59-55 at Hennessey Rec. Center.

The Mustangs (3-1) shot just 28.6 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from 3-point range. The V-Hawks (1-5) shot 32.3 percent overall and 15.8 percent from beyond the arc. Mount Mercy owned a 55-41 rebounding advantage, including 17-6 offensive boards.

Mount Mercy scored the first seven points of the game before a Kaitlyn Kennedy layup with 5:48 remaining in the first quarter sparked a 9-0 Viterbo run. Leading 23-21 at halftime, the Mustangs scored the first five points of the third quarter and led by as many as 13 points early in the fourth quarter.

A 7-0 Viterbo run narrowed Mount Mercy's lead to 53-50 with 2:32 remaining in the game. The V-Hawks got within two points in the final minutes, but the Mustangs sealed the victory at the free throw line.

Madison Dreckman led all scorers with 18 points and had a game-high 12 rebounds. Annika Headington chipped in 11 points and 10 rebounds. Marissa Brantley hit four of five 3-point attempts to score 12 points off the bench for Mount Mercy.

Natalia Leguizamon led Viterbo with 15 points. Nicole Johnson had seven rebounds for the V-Hawks.

The Mustangs have a non-conference game at Grinnell at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 22 before opening Heart of America Athletic Conference play at home against Benedictine on Saturday, Nov. 26. Tip-off is scheduled for noon in Hennessey Rec. Center.