Free throws sink Mustangs in OT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Mount Mercy women's basketball team played from behind for the majority of the game against Baker (Kan.) on Saturday inside Hennessey Rec. Center in a Heart of America Athletic Conference contest. The Mustangs forced overtime on a clutch Madison Dreckman layup assisted by Sammy Mia, tying the game at 59-59 with 20 seconds left in regulation. In overtime, Mount Mercy shot 3-for-12 from the free throw line, while the Wildcats went 12-for-13 in route to the 75-68 defeat of the Mustangs. 

Teams were dead locked at 15 apiece after the first quarter, but Baker (6-7, 2-6 Heart) connected on three 3-pointers in the second quarter for the 29-26 lead at half. Mount Mercy continued to slowly comeback, keeping it a one possession game late in the third. A 3-pointer from Dreckman gave the Mustangs the lead, 51-50. The Wildcats took the lead right back, 57-53 with just under two minutes to play. Consecutive jumpers from Mia and Deja Antoine tied the game for the seventh time at 57 all. Leah Van Weelden made two key free throws down the stretch for Baker, but out of a timeout the Mustangs perfectly executed the play drawn up to force their second overtime game of the season.

Free throws proved to be the difference in the final five minutes as the Wildcats jumped out to a 66-61 lead which the Mustangs couldn't overcome. Baker shot it at an 81.3 percent (26-for-32) clip from the free throw stripe compared to just 48.1 percent (13-for-27) for Mount Mercy. Otherwise, the teams played a very even game. The Wildcats held a four-rebound advantage while the Mustangs outscored them 32-28 in points in the paint. Turnovers and assists were very similar as well. 

Dreckman led Mount Mercy (7-8, 3-6 Heart) with 22 points and 15 rebounds, for her fourth double-double of the season. Mia tacked on 14 and Antoine 12. Tatum Griffin had a season-high seven assists and Anais Bonnemaison was one point away from her first double-double finishing with nine points and 11 boards. Baker's Ainsley Tolson paced all players with 32 points, including going 17-for-18 from the free throw line. 

Mount Mercy looks to snap their losing skid on Wednesday, Jan. 11 as they host Graceland (8-7, 3-6 Heart) in a Heart matchup. Tipoff is at 5:30 pm inside Hennessey Rec. Center.