Mustangs pounded in the paint in loss to Pioneers

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – For the second game in a row, the third quarter was unkind to the Mount Mercy women's basketball team. After taking a seven-point lead into halftime, the Mustangs were outscored, 27-11, after intermission and fell to MidAmerica Nazarene, 84-75, in Saturday afternoon's Heart of America Athletic Conference contest at Hennessey Recreation Center.

The Pioneers outscored the Mustangs, 18-4, over the final six minutes of the third period. It was the Mount Mercy's seventh-straight loss to the MidAmerica Nazarene dating back to 2017 and ninth out of 10 games in the series. The Mustangs (12-16, 9-8 Heart) shot 45 percent (27-of-60) as a team and 26.7 percent (4-of-15) from downtown, with the five starters accounting for 66 points. Sammy Mia led four scorers in double figures with 18 points. Annika Headington scored 16 points while grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out six assists. Kyla Richardson and Madison Dreckman each scored 13 points for Mount Mercy.

The Pioneers (16-9, 13-4 Heart) shot 44.4 percent (28-of-63) overall and 19.2 percent (5-of-26) from 3-point range. Outscoring the Mustangs, 44-30, in the paint, MidAmerica Nazarene was led by Anna Roulston with 31 points, 18 boards and two blocks. Makayla Gooch and Arielle Sargent scored 19 points and 18 points, respectively.

The Mustangs face Graceland at 5:30 pm Wednesday in Lamoni, Iowa, before returning home Saturday for Senior Day versus Grand View. Tipoff for the regular season finale is scheduled for 2:00 pm at Hennessey Rec Center.