Dreckman’s double-double key to Mustang victory

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – A double-double by Madison Dreckman led the Mount Mercy women's basketball team to a 71-65 win Saturday over Benedictine (Kan.) at Hennessey Rec. Center. The junior scored 23 points, including four 3-pointers, and pulled down 10 rebounds. Sammy Mia matched Dreckman with 23 points, connecting on 10-of-17 field goals.

The Mustangs (5-1, 1-0 Heart) shot 47.5 percent (28-59) overall and 26.3 percent (5-19) from 3-point range to win their Heart of America Athletic Conference season opener. Mount Mercy out-rebounded the Ravens 49-34, with seven players claiming at least three boards. Annika Headington pulled down a game best four offensive rebounds. Cristian Patron added eight points and six boards. 

The Ravens (2-4, 0-1 Heart) shot just 34.8 percent (24-69) overall and 35 percent (7-20) from beyond the arc. Benedictine was led by Twilah Carrasquillo with 16 points and seven rebounds. Alleigh Kramer added 11 points and Kennedy Nicholson scored 10 points off the bench.

Benedictine led by as many as five points in the first quarter and the lead changed hands 12 times throughout the game. Mount Mercy took its largest lead of 10 points with 7:08 to play in the third quarter. The Ravens tied the Mustangs at 58-58 with 6:44 to play, but Mount Mercy answered with a 7-0 run thanks to a Dreckman 3-pointer sandwiched between two Mia lay-ups. Benedictine never got closer than three the rest of the game.

The Mustangs take a three-game winning streak on the road Wednesday, Nov. 30 for a 5:30 p.m. tip versus Heart foe Missouri Valley (4-2, 0-0 Heart) in Marshall, Mo.