Second-half surge carries Mustangs

DUBUQUE, Iowa -- The Mount Mercy women's basketball team led by seven at halftime and used a 21-4 run midway through the second period to defeat Clarke, 68-53, in Midwest Collegiate Conference action on Sunday at the Kehl Center.

The Mustangs led, 29-22, at the break, but saw the Crusaders get within three, 35-32, less than five minutes into the second half. Led by junior forward Bria Fields, Mount Mercy would take over from there. Fields scored eight of her game-high 22 points over the next seven minutes as the Mustangs extended their lead to 56-36 with 8:55 left in the game.

Fields posted her first double-double of the season, grabbing 11 rebounds to go with her 22 points. Senior Kadie Carman was 4-of-5 from 3-point range during a 13-point afternoon. Junior guard Emily Greiner added nine points, senior forward Tonya Davis and sophomore guard Makenzie Keehn seven points apiece for the Mustangs (7-9, 2-1 MCC).

Jenna Kotas was the lone Crusader in double figures with 12 points. Brittany Collier and Brittany Horst chipped in eight points each and Rachael Wenberg snared six rebounds.

Mount Mercy hosts Waldorf (3-9, 1-1 MCC) on a league contest on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Hennessey Recreation Center.