Mount Mercy University - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mount Mercy's Alisa Weiland moves past Clarke's Breland Prochaska during Monday's night's game. Clarke edged the Mustangs, 56-52. (MSR photo by Ken Gilchrist)

Clarke denies Mustangs in MCC final

Mon - 02 Mar Written by Mike Condon

It was a typical "ugly" match-up between the Clarke and Mount Mercy women's basketball teams.

The usual result when the two teams meet in Cedar Rapids has been a Mustang victory. With a berth in the NAIA Division II national tournament on the line, the visiting Crusaders picked an opportune time to turn the ugly game into a thing of beauty.

Senior Amanda Hamilton hit 4-of-5 free throws in the final minute as Clarke held off the Mustangs, 56-52, to win the final MCC Tournament title on Monday night before a good crowd at the Hennessey Recreation Center.

"Every time we have played them the last two years, the game has been in the 50s," Adams said. "We don't play the prettiest games with Mount Mercy, but this is the first time we have ever won on this court."

Clarke (20-13), the fourth-seed, used stingy defense and timely offense to earn a berth in the national tournament beginning on March 11 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City.

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 03 March 2015 13:17

Mount Mercy assistant coach Carlos Nelson holds the No. 20 jersey of absent teammate Danny DeBacker after the Mustangs won the Midwest Collegiate Conference tournament Sunday night. (MSR photo by Margaret O'Banion)

Inspired Mustangs earn trip to NAIA tourney

Sun - 01 Mar Written by Jim Ecker

A season that began with a horrible tragedy has turned into a year of glory and remembrance for the Mount Mercy University men's basketball team.

Inspired all season by the death of teammate Danny DeBacker in September, the Mustangs pulled together and have accomplished one of the most remarkable seasons in school history.

The 13th-ranked Mustangs overcame serious foul problems Sunday night and dispatched William Penn, 93-76, in the championship game of the Midwest Collegiate Conference tournament at the Hennessey Recreation Center to claim the program's third trip to the NAIA Division II nationals.

Picked to finish last in the league, the Mustangs instead have compiled a 26-4 overall record and captured the MCC regular-season and tournament titles. They have the plaque, the championship banner and the deep feelings to prove it.

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Mount Mercy women sail into finals

Sat - 28 Feb Written by Metro Sports Report

DES MOINES - The Mount Mercy women's basketball team dumped Grand View, 71-51, in the semifinals of the Midwest Collegiate Conference tournament Saturday and is now one victory away from reaching the NAIA Division II national tournament.

The surging Mustangs (19-13) will host Clarke (19-12) in the MCC tournament finals Monday at 7 p.m. at the Hennessey Recreation Center.

Mount Mercy knocked off the No. 2 seed Saturday when it whipped Grand View by 20 points. Now the Mustangs - seeded No. 3 for the tournament - will be facing the No. 4 seed in Clarke for the title.

Abby Herb poured in 22 points for Mount Mercy against Grand View. Alisa Weiland and Paige Last scored 10 points apiece. Christa Oldham had eight points and eight rebounds. Makenzie Zeitler provided six points and seven rebounds.

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No.13 Mustangs reach MCC finals

Fri - 27 Feb Written by Metro Sports Report

The 13th-ranked Mount Mercy men's basketball team has reached the championship game of the Midwest Collegiate Conference tournament, but there were some nervous moments at the Hennessey Recreation Center Friday night.

The Mustangs had to rally for a 72-61 victory over Grand View with a strong finish in the MCC semifinals.

Grand View led 55-54 with 6:03 left in the game, seeking to upset the No. 1 seeds on their home court. Mount Mercy kept battling and took a slim 62-60 lead into the final minute, with the outcome still very much in doubt.

Fortunately for the Mustangs, the final 49 seconds belonged to them.

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Mount Mercy women reach semifinals

Fri - 27 Feb Written by Metro Sports Report

Mount Mercy finished the first half with a 12-0 run Thursday night and defeated Viterbo, 64-52, in the quarterfinals of the Midwest Collegiate Conference women's basketball tournament at the Hennessey Recreation Center.

The Mustangs (18-13) will play at St. Ambrose in the semifinals Saturday at 2 p.m.

Mount Mercy was clinging to a 25-23 in the first half when they caught fire and scored 12 straight points for a 37-23 cushion at intermission. Danielle Herdliska and Ashley Dolan scored five points apiece during the decisive spurt.

The Mustangs opened a 43-27 lead in the second half and won comfortably.

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