Mustangs Sink Vikings in First Heart Postseason Victory

MARSHALL, Mo. - Mount Mercy's women's basketball team secured their first Heart of America Athletic Conference postseason victory after defeating Missouri Valley 74-73 in overtime. 

Despite trailing most of the game, the Mustangs showed they would not go down without a fight. After trailing in the first half, the Mustangs lit up the court in the third quarter, shooting 50% in all shooting aspects and outshooting the Vikings in the second half. In the third quarter alone, the Mustangs' defense allowed the Vikings to sink only four of 19 shots from the field, helping them tie the game at 49-49 heading into the fourth quarter. 

Trailing by nine points, the Mustangs crept back into the game, trailing by three with seconds left. With the Mustangs controlling the ball, Malie Marfil will deliver a game-tying three-point buzzer-beater to send the game into overtime. After taking an early four-point lead, the Mustangs' strong defense prevented the Vikings from scoring a three-point attempt to seal their 74-73 victory. 

Marfil led three Mustangs in the double figures, recording a double-double with 22 points and grabbing 12 boards. Annika Headington trailed Marfil with 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and a near-perfect 7-of-8 from the line. Headington also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out four assists. Claudia Vanzant rounded out the Mustangs in the double figures, scoring 20 points with eight rebounds. 

The Vikings saw three scorers end in double figures, led by D'Ajha Horton with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting and grabbing seven boards. Giavanna Moore and Ylenia Exposito contributed 17 and 16 points, respectively, to finish out the Vikings in double figures. 

Mount Mercy will travel to Olathe, Kan., to face the number-one seeded MidAmerica Nazarene on February 28 for a semifinal showdown, starting at 7:00 p.m.