Micha Mims enjoyed playing for Frank Howell during her prep career at Cedar Rapids Washington, but now they've become friendly opponents as college head coaches in the Heart of America Conference.

Howell enjoyed the upper hand Thursday night as Graceland topped Mount Mercy, 93-81, at the Hennessey Recreation Center.

Howell and Mims are both in their third year as college head coaches and Howell holds a 4-1 lead in five meetings.

The Mustangs gave the Yellowjackets a good ballgame, but the visitors got 62 points from three players to head back to Lamoni with a victory.

Sarai Rodriguez led Graceland with 22 points while Christacia Dawkins and Caitlin Sudduth netted 20 apiece.

Brianna Thomas popped in six 3-pointers and paced Mount Mercy with 22 points. Audrey Mulumba finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Aurianna Hampton also had a double-double for the Mustangs with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Graceland raised its records to 9-1 overall and 3-1 in the conference. Mount Mercy fell to 3-5 overall and 0-4 in the league with its fifth straight setback.

Graceland helped its cause by sinking 23 of 25 free throws.

GRACELAND (93): Cleaver 4 4-4 13, Dawkins 8 2-2 20, Rodriguez 5 12-12 22, Daye 2 2-3 6, Boden 2 0-0 5, Ratliff 2 0-0 5, Bair 0 2-2 2, Lysinger 0 0-0 0, Sudduth 8 1-2 20, Burns 0 0-0 0. Totals 31 23-25 93.

MOUNT MERCY (81): Moffett 3 3-6 9, Kawakami 3 1-2 9, Thomas 8 0-0 22, Sheck 0 0-0 0, Mulumba 6 3-4 15, Goodman 3 0-0 9, Hampton 3 4-4 10, LeGrand 0 0-0 0, Brown 3 1-2 7. Totals 29 12-18 81.

Halftime - Graceland 46, Mount Mercy 45. 3-point goals - Graceland 8 (Sudduth 3, Dawkins 2, Cleaver 1, Boden 1, Ratliff 1), Mount Mercy 11 (Thomas 6, Goodman 3, Kawakami 2).