Mustangs outlast Viterbo for first win

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Mount Mercy women's basketball team picked up its first win of the season Saturday, topping Viterbo, 59-51, at Hennessey Recreation Center. The victory avenges a 68-56 loss to the V-Hawks in La Crosse, Wis., on Nov. 3.

The Mustangs (1-4) shot just 37.1 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent from 3-point range. Viterbo (3-3) was even colder, shooting 31.6 percent overall and 29.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Mount Mercy never trailed and led by as many as seven points in the first half before taking a 26-23 lead to the locker room. Viterbo took its first lead of the game at 27-26 on a free throw by Kaitlyn Kennedy with 7:58 remaining in the third quarter. The lead changed hands four more times in the quarter before the Mustangs went ahead, 36-35, on a Kennedi Fulwylie free throw with 1:57 to go in the third quarter.

Mount Mercy never trailed after that point and pushed its lead to 12 points on a 3-point field goal by Sammy Mia with three minutes to play.

Mia led all scorers with 24 points and made four of nine 3-point baskets. She also had three steals. Cristian Patron chipped in 10 points and two steals in 18 minutes off the bench. Annika Headington had a game-high 10 rebounds for the Mustangs.

Chyna Young scored 13 points and had three steals in 22 minutes off the bench to lead Viterbo. Nicole Johnson had eight rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench for the V-Hawks.

The Mustangs open Heart of America Athletic Conference play against Baker on Tuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm in Baldwin City, Kan. Mount Mercy travels to Joliet, Ill., for a 2:00 pm non-conference game against St. Francis on Sunday, Nov. 28. The Mustangs return home for a conference game against Peru State at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 1.