Mustangs open season with impressive win

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - In their season debut, the Mount Mercy women's basketball team opened some eyes with their dominant 78-56, win over Missouri Baptist, who qualified for the NAIA National Tournament last year. The Mustangs held the Spartans to just nine points in the second quarter to create some separation for the remainder of the game. Mount Mercy outscored Missouri Baptist in every quarter to earn the win inside Hennessey Rec Center. 

With two new faces in the starting lineup, the Mustangs had a balanced attack that the Spartan's could not slow down. First, it was Madison Skelton who scored nine straight points in the first quarter, draining both her free throws and a three-pointer to double up Missouri Baptist, 14-7. Mount Mercy used an 18-9 second quarter to increase their lead to double-digits going into halftime, 43-29.

The third quarter was all Malie Marfil as she scored 10 of her 14 points highlighted by a steal and layup at at the 5:35 mark to put Mount Mercy in front by 21 points. The Mustangs would lead by as many as 24 as they shot 39.4% from the field and forced 19 Spartan turnovers. Mount Mercy out-rebounded Missouri Baptist (0-1) 51-36, getting 19 offensive boards. The Mustangs scored 42 of their points in the paint and was an impressive 92.0% (23-25) from the free throw stripe. 

Annika Headington lead all players with 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Marfil (14), Skelton (13), and Madison Dreckman (10) joined Headington in double figures. Skelton and Dreckman led the defensive efforts with eight rebounds apiece. Dreckman also had three blocks. Ten Mustangs scored leading to 18 bench points led by Karlie Krogman with five. Krogman also pulled down five boards. Kariana Lohf and Tatum Griffin each scored four off the bench as well.

Mount Mercy (1-0) goes on the road for five straight games before returning home. First up for the Mustangs is a non-conference contest against Waldorf (1-1) on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7:00 pm in Forest City at the Hanson Fieldhouse. Mount Mercy then has an exhibition with division one opponent, Western Illinois on Monday, Nov. 6 at 7:00 pm in Macomb, Ill.