Mustangs falter in second half of home finale but earn #3 seed in Heart quarterfinal

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Mount Mercy women's basketball team suffered another case of the third-quarter doldrums Saturday in a 78-64 Heart of America Athletic Conference loss to Grand View on Senior Day at Hennessey Recreation Center. After taking a five-point lead at halftime, the Mustangs were outscored 24-12 in the third frame and 46-27 in the second half.

The Mustangs (13-17, 10-9 Heart) shot 39.3 percent (24-of-61) as a team, including 5-of-12 three-point attempts. With four senior starters accounting for 33 points in their home finale, Mount Mercy was led by Kyla Richardson with 17 points. Annika Headington scored 11 points to go along with a game-high 14 rebounds and six assists.  McKenzie Stoehr and Madison Dreckman were in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Vikings (24-6, 16-3 Heart) shot 37.9 percent (25-of-66) overall, including 12-of-32 three-pointers. Grand View was led by Shannon Pisney with 30 points. Ella Larson scored 15 points to go along with 12 boards, five assists, and four steals. Brianda Bane added 11 points.

Mount Mercy led 37-32 at halftime, but a 19-4 run to open the second half gave Grand View a 10-point lead. The Vikings led by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs earned the North Division #3 seed in the Heart Women's Basketball Championship and will face South Division #2 seed MidAmerica Nazarene (17-10, 14-5 Heart) on Thursday. Tipoff is unofficially scheduled for 7:00 pm at the Cook Center in Olathe, Kan.