Mustangs Fall to Wildcats in Season Opener

CANTON, Mo. — The Mount Mercy Mustangs opened their 2025–26 NAIA women's basketball season on Saturday evening with a 71–51 loss to Bethel (Tenn.) at the Culver-Stockton Classic. The Mustangs trailed from the opening quarter and were unable to overcome a double-digit deficit despite a strong fourth-quarter effort.

Mount Mercy (0–1) shot 35.2 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc but committed 20 turnovers that led to 22 Bethel points. The Wildcats (1–0) capitalized on their interior play, outscoring Mount Mercy 38–10 in the paint and holding a 37–31 advantage on the boards.

Sadie Struchen led the Mustangs with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from three-point range. Aubrey Luvan added 10 points and two assists, while Ellie Morrill contributed eight points and four rebounds off the bench. Gabby Dwanyen and Candace Baker provided a spark in reserve roles, combining for 10 points.

Bethel was paced by Micah Hart and MJ Simmons, each scoring 12 points. Madison Hart posted a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds. The Wildcats closed the game shooting 49.2 percent overall and 80 percent from the free-throw line.

The Mustangs struggled to find rhythm early, opening the first quarter 2-for-11 from the field and falling behind 18–6. Turnovers and missed perimeter attempts allowed Bethel to extend its lead to 36–18 at halftime. Struchen hit back-to-back threes midway through the second quarter to trim the deficit to single digits, but Bethel responded with an 8–0 run to regain control.

Mount Mercy improved its efficiency in the second half, shooting 47.1 percent in the final period while matching Bethel's scoring output in the fourth, 20–16. Morrill was effective inside, converting all three of her field-goal attempts and both free throws, while Luvan and Dwanyen each connected from long range.

Despite the late push, Bethel's interior scoring and transition game proved decisive. The Wildcats recorded 12 fast-break points and 36 points from their bench unit. Mount Mercy's reserves countered with 25 points, led by Morrill's inside presence and Dwanyen's perimeter shooting.

Mount Mercy distributed the ball well with 10 assists, led by Isabel Wallschlaeger's four. However, the Mustangs were hampered by 20 turnovers and a 9–1 deficit in second-chance points. Bethel's rebounding and efficiency in the half-court limited Mount Mercy's scoring opportunities, particularly in the opening half.

The Mustangs will look to bounce back Sunday afternoon when they face IU Columbus at 1 p.m. in their second game of the Classic.