Second-Half Run Pushes Ravens Past Mustangs

ATCHISON, Kan. — Mount Mercy women's basketball dropped a 74–64 road decision Saturday at Benedictine after trading possessions throughout a game defined by half-court execution, turnover margin, and second-chance opportunities. The Mustangs moved to 5–6 overall and 2–3 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.

Mount Mercy generated 10 made 3-pointers and shot 40.6% from the field, but Benedictine leveraged advantages at the foul line and on the glass to control late-game possessions. The Ravens finished 24-for-34 at the stripe while Mount Mercy attempted only two free throws.

Sydni Morris anchored the Mustang frontcourt with 18 points on 9-for-12 shooting and nine rebounds in 29 minutes. The senior operated consistently in ball-screen action and off reversal entries, converting six field goals at the rim and stabilizing the offense through multiple scoring droughts. Sam Kiel added 13 points, including three makes from beyond the arc, while Sadie Struchen posted 12 points with four 3-pointers.

Mount Mercy opened the game trading scores in the half court, highlighted by an early put-back from Aubrey Luvan and a transition stop from Morris. Benedictine responded with a 12–2 run built on interior touches for Kelli and Nicole Storck. The surge forced Mount Mercy into a series of contested jumpers and added pressure to its primary ballhandlers. The Mustangs trailed 20–11 after the first quarter.

Mount Mercy countered in the second period with improved spacing and off-ball movement, generating a 15–3 run that tied the score at 29–29. The Mustangs posted eight assists in the frame, including consecutive kick-outs from Isabel Wallschlaeger that led to back-to-back Struchen 3-pointers. A late layup by Kiel, assisted by Taylor Wells, brought the halftime score to 31–31.

The Mustangs opened the third quarter with multiple defensive stops, converting two ball-screen attacks by Morris to take a 35–31 lead. Benedictine answered with high-post action through Hattie Gros and Riley Bruggeman, shifting the possession game back to the Ravens.

Struchen connected on a right-wing three to stop the run, and a pair of free throws from Kiel tied the score again at 40–40. The teams remained even until the final minute of the period, when Benedictine used a three-point play opportunity and a corner three to enter the fourth up 50–49.

Mount Mercy briefly retook the lead early in the fourth after a Morris jumper and a Luvan baseline finish, but Benedictine controlled the final five minutes. The Ravens generated multiple second-chance possessions—finishing with a 46–40 rebound advantage—and converted late free throws behind Oen Deters, who scored 13 points with nine made free throws.

Bruggeman led Benedictine with 20 points and six steals, pressuring Mount Mercy's primary initiators and contributing to the Mustangs' 25 turnovers.

Wallschlaeger recorded eight assists despite facing frequent trapping pressure. Taylor Wells added four points and four rebounds off the bench, and Candace Baker contributed five points, eight rebounds, and two steals. Mount Mercy held Benedictine to just 2-for-24 from 3-point range but was outscored 36–22 in the paint.

Mount Mercy finished with 16 assists on 26 made field goals and produced 15 second-chance points, but was unable to match Benedictine's free-throw volume or limit late turnovers.

Mount Mercy will be back in action as they host William Woods at Hennessey Recreation Center on Saturday, Dec. 13, starting at 11 a.m.