Brantley's trey lifts Mustangs past Valor on Senior Day

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Marissa Brantley will remember the last shot of her collegiate career as she drained the go-ahead 3-pointer for the Mount Mercy women's basketball team in a victory over Evangel (Mo.) on Saturday afternoon. The Mustangs defeated the Valor, 75-73, in a Heart of America Athletic Conference matchup on Senior Day at Hennessey Rec Center. 

In a game that featured 12 ties and 23 lead changes, it only made sense the two teams were deadlocked at 17 after the first quarter in which Sammy Mia and Deja Antoine accounted for 12 of those points. Evangel led by as many as five in the second quarter, but two free throws from Mia as time winded down, made it a one point game, 37-36, at the half. Brantley's first 3-pointer of the game gave Mount Mercy their biggest lead, 44-39, with just over seven minutes to play in the third. The Valor still held a one point lead, 53-52, with the final quarter to go. 

Evangel (13-14, 12-10 Heart) led 58-52 early in the fourth, but Mount Mercy tied it up at 66 all. Kate Gilbert made two free throws to give the Valor the 71-70 advantage. Out of a timeout, Brantley missed a 3-pointer, but after a steal by Madison Dreckman, Brantley found herself wide open again and didn't hesitate, this time sinking the go-ahead triple, making it 73-71 with 12 seconds to go. Annika Headington goes 2-for-4 from the free throw stripe to close out the win. 

Mount Mercy finishes the season 12-16, 8-14 in conference play. Eight Mustangs were honored today including four managers: Jaelin Berger, Jurnee Carr, Remington Comried, and Cyrena Werner. Mia finished with 18 points, giving her 1,227 points in her career, putting her 20th all-time at Mount Mercy. Antoine and Brantley added 13 and nine, respectively, in their final game as a Mustang. Cristian Patron was also honored for her contributions over the past three seasons.