[Women's Basketball] Tigers win battle of league leaders

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa -- Iowa Wesleyan's big second half put away Mount Mercy, 73-51, in a women's basketball matchup between two of the top teams in the Midwest Collegiate Conference on Wednesday at Ruble Arena.

The 12th-ranked Tigers only led, 36-31, at halftime before outscoring the Mustangs, 37-20, after the break. Mount Mercy, which received votes in this week's NAIA Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll, shot just 33.3 percent from the floor and went 5-for-26 from 3-point range. Iowa Wesleyan also outrebounded the Mustangs, 47-30.

Senior guard Kadie Carman had 11 points to lead Mount Mercy (11-10, 5-2 MCC), which dropped a game behind Iowa Wesleyan (15-4, 6-1 MCC), St. Ambrose (16-3, 6-1 MCC), and William Penn (14-6, 6-1 MCC) in the conference race. Freshman forward Amanda Frost added 10 points and seven rebounds. Junior guard Emily Greiner chipped in eight points, junior guard Ashley Koch four assists.

Jessi Beachey, an NAIA all-American for the Tigers last season, poured in 18 points and grabbed four rebounds. Jill Ginder had 17 points and 10 boards, Melanie McCreight 17 points and four rebounds. Anna Jones recorded a double-double as well, finishing with 11 points and 11 boards while handing out five assists.

Mount Mercy is on the road again this weekend, heading to La Crosse, Wis., to take on Viterbo (Wis.) (6-13, 1-5 MCC) at 1:00 p.m. at R.W. Beggs Gymnasium.