Valor control tempo, defeat Mustangs

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Mount Mercy women's basketball team traveled to Evangel (Mo.) seeking their first Heart of America Athletic Conference road win of the season. The Valor had other ideas and handed the Mustangs a 71-55 loss Saturday afternoon at Ashcroft Center. 

Neither team shot the ball particularly well from anywhere on the court. Mount Mercy shot 36.8% overall and 20% from behind the arc, while Evangel (4-6, 3-2 Heart) was at 37.1% and only 13% from long range. The Mustangs were just 9-for-18 from the free throw line compared to the Valor going 16-for-23.

Mount Mercy (6-4, 2-3 Heart) scored 20 points in the opening quarter for a six point lead, but were held to just eight points in the second period and faced a 35-28 halftime deficit. Despite the poor shooting, the Valor capitalized on the Mustangs 18 turnovers and their 12 rebound advantage, as well as outscored Mount Mercy 36-22 in paint to hold onto their lead for the duration of the second half.  

Sammy Mia paced all players with 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting to go along with four steals. Madison Dreckman chipped in 12 points and Annika Headington grabbed a game-best eight rebounds in her first game back from injury. 

The Mustangs are at home for their next two Heart conference games before winter break. Sixth-ranked Clarke (8-2, 3-2 Heart) comes to town on Thursday, Dec. 15 for a 5:30 tip followed by a match-up against Park (Mo.) (3-7, 1-4 Heart) on Saturday, Dec. 17 at noon.