Second quarter surge leads to Mustang win

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - An 18-5 second quarter spread sparked the Mount Mercy women's basketball team to the 67-47 win over Waldorf at Hennessey Rec. Center tonight.

Two straight layups from Sammy Mia and Annika Headington, gave Mount Mercy an early lead. The Warriors leveled the game at eight and held the Mustangs scoreless for nearly five minutes, building a 16-8 lead in the meantime. Marissa Brantley and Sadie Struchen connected on three-pointers before an old-fashioned three-point play from Madison Dreckman tied the game at 17 all. With six seconds to go, Tatum Griffin laid it in for the two-point edge after the first ten minutes. 

The Mustangs held Waldorf (1-3) to five second quarter points on just 2-13 shooting. Mount Mercy capitalized from behind the arc, getting one from Dreckman and Struchen, and two from Headington in the first five minutes to extend their lead to 37-22 heading into the half. 

Mount Mercy (2-0) poured in a quarter-high 20 points in the third, Headington leading the way with seven. The Mustangs led by their largest margin of 29 after an offensive rebound putback from Brantley late in the fourth. Mount Mercy out-rebounded Waldorf 53-35 for a 30-14 points in the paint advantage. 

Headington recorded her first double-double of the season finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds, four being on the offensive side. Dreckman totaled 11 points and nine boards. The Mustang bench outscored the Warrior reserves 26-12 as Struchen and Brantley each added nine.

Mount Mercy faces their first road test of the season on Wednesday, Nov. 9, traveling to Iowa Wesleyan (2-1) for a non-conference contest. Tip-off is set for 5:30 in Mount Pleasant.