Mustangs Overpower Crimson Pride to Earn First Win of Season

CANTON, Mo. — Mount Mercy University women's basketball earned its first win of the 2025–26 season with a 97–60 victory over Indiana University Columbus on Sunday afternoon at the Charles Field House. The Mustangs improved to 1–1 following a balanced offensive performance that featured five players in double figures and a 55.6 percent mark from beyond the arc.

The Mustangs shot 46.6 percent from the field and outrebounded IU Columbus, 53–32. Mount Mercy assisted on 21 of its 34 made field goals and held the Crimson Pride to just 32.8 percent shooting. Mount Mercy also scored 39 points off the bench and converted 15 three-pointers in the win.

Sadie Struchen led Mount Mercy with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 5-of-9 from long range. Taylor Rose added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Sydni Morris posted a near double-double with 12 points and eight boards. Isabel Wallschlaeger contributed 10 points and nine assists, and Candace Baker added 10 points off the bench.

Gabby Dwanyen recorded seven points and seven rebounds, and Ellie Morrill added nine points on 2-of-3 shooting. Sharmaine Tapling finished with seven points, including a pair of fourth-quarter three-pointers. Every Mustang who saw the floor scored.

IU Columbus (0–2) was led by Abby Fleetwood with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Morgan Montgomery, who added 15 points and 11 boards. The Crimson Pride managed only three three-pointers on 19 attempts and trailed for the final 36 minutes of play.

Mount Mercy established control early with a 24–12 first-quarter lead after shooting 38.1 percent and connecting on five threes. Struchen and Wallschlaeger combined for 11 points in the opening frame, while Baker added two three-pointers off the bench.

The Mustangs extended their advantage to 50–27 by halftime after a 26-point second quarter. Struchen hit three more triples in the period, and Morrill added four points from the post. Mount Mercy shot 60 percent in the second frame, holding IU Columbus to 28.6 percent from the floor.

Mount Mercy maintained its tempo in the second half, outscoring the Crimson Pride 47–33. The Mustangs opened the third quarter with a 9–2 run, capped by a Wallschlaeger three-pointer. Rose added five points in the period, and Morris controlled the glass with seven rebounds. The Mustangs' defensive rotation forced seven IU turnovers during the stretch.

In the fourth quarter, the Mustangs' reserves closed out the win with a 27-point effort. Tapling and Baker combined for three perimeter makes, while Taylor Wells scored four points in the final minute. Mount Mercy posted its largest lead, 97–60, in the closing seconds following a Wells jumper assisted by Halee Jackson.

Mount Mercy's defense produced nine steals and limited IU Columbus to 15.8 percent shooting from three-point range. The Mustangs scored 21 points off turnovers and held a 16–7 edge in second-chance points.

Mount Mercy will return to Cedar Rapids for its home opener against Bellevue (NE) on Thursday, October 30, at the Hennessey Recreation Center. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.