Late three lets Pride escape Mustang upset bid

DUBUQUE, Iowa -- Clarke's Taylor Norris buried a 3-pointer with three seconds left as fourth-ranked Clarke survived a 30-point night by Madison Skelton and remained unbeaten with an 87-84 victory over Mount Mercy on Wednesday night in Heart of America Athletic women's basketball action at the Kehl Center.

The Mustangs trailed, 84-80, with 1:07 to go before Madison Dreckman's bucket cut the deficit to 84-82 with 48 seconds on the clock. After a Clarke turnover, Skelton found Malie Marfil for a game-tying layup with 20 secondsremaining. The Pride used a timeout to set up the final play and it was Nicole McDermott finding Norris for the clincher.

Skelton was 11-of-18 from the field and 5-of-6 beyond the arc during her 30-point night for the Mustangs (8-6, 6-5 Heart). Dreckman finished wtih 15 points and eight rebounds while Annika Headington added 14 points.

Taylor Haase's 24 points and 12 rebounds led the Pride (15-0, 11-0 Heart). Norris ended up with 23 points and four assists and McDermott tallied 18 points, 11 boards, and four assists. Mya Merschman chipped in 12 points.

The winter storm heading into the Midwest this weekend has caused Mount Mercy's doubleheader at Central Methodist to be rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 22, at 5:30 pm at Puckett Field House in Fayette, Mo. The Mustangs host Grand View on Jan. 15 at 5:30 pm at Hennessey Recreation Center.