The Mount Mercy women's basketball team gave Alcorn State a tough game Saturday before falling short, 60-56, at the Hennessey Recreation Center.

Alcorn State is an NCAA Division I program, but the Mustangs from the NAIA battled them to the wire.

Alisa Weiland hit a 3-pointer to pull Mount Mercy within 58-56 with 33 seconds left in the game. Weiland missed a layup with eight seconds leftnthat would have tied the contest and Alcorn State made two free throws with seven seconds to go for a four-point lead to clinch the victory.

Abby Herb scored 15 points for Mount Mercy (5-9). Weiland finished with 10npoints. Makenzie Zeitler contributed nine points and 10 rebounds. Latasha Harmon had seven points and eight rebounds.

Brianna Luton led a balanced attack for Alcorn State (2-6) with 10 points.

ALCORN STATE (60): Wells 3 0-0 6, Strane 2 2-2 6, McNichols 1 3-4 5, Spann 1 3-4 5, Haynes 4 0-8 8, Littlejohn 3 0-0 8, Luton 3 3-6 10, Sherman 3 0-2 6, Turner 3 0-0 6, Russel 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 11-26 60.

MOUNT MERCY (56): Herb 7 1-2 15, Weiland 3 3-4 10, Harmon 1 4-6 7, Zeitler 1 7-8 9, Thompson 0 0-0 0, Blowers 0 0-0 0, Jordan 1 0-0 2, Sexton 0 0-0 0, Lampe 0 0-0 0, Dolan 2 2-2 7, Lehman 1 4-4 6. Totals 16 21-26 56.

Halftime - Alcorn State 27, Mount Mercy 21. 3-point goals - Alcorn State 3 (Littlejohn 2, Luton 1), Mount Mercy 3 (Weiland 1, Harmon 1, Dolan 1).