Overtime free throws sink Mustangs

OSKALOOSA, Iowa -- William Penn made only two field goals in overtime, but went 13-for-19 from the free throw line in the extra period and defeated Mount Mercy, 74-66, in Midwest Collegiate Conference women's basketball on Saturday at Penn Gymnasium.

Fittingly, the game was also tied at halftime thanks to a bucket by senior forward Tonya Davis just before the break. Freshman forward Amanda Frost hit a pair of free throws with 29 seconds left in regulation, then the Mustangs had to survive two potential game-winning shots by the Lady Statesmen in the final seconds to get to overtime.

Junior guard Emily Greiner's 3-pointer put Mount Mercy ahead early in the extra session, but William Penn took command with a 9-0 run that gave the Lady Statesmen an insurmountable 68-62 advantage with under a minute to go. After junior forward Becca Lampe's layup got the Mustangs within four with 14 seconds remaining, free throws by Christa Subbert and Carleigh Hobson kept William Penn unbeaten in league play.

Greiner was Mount Mercy's leading scorer for the seventh time this season, finishing with 20 points for the second game in a row and fourth time this year. She rounded out a double-double with 10 rebounds before fouling out. Davis ended up with 16 points and six boards. Junior guard Micha Mims had 11 points and junior guard Laura Lippert a game-high 11 rebounds for the Mustangs (5-6, 1-1 MCC).

Christa Subbert went 14-for-14 at the foul line during a 31-point outing for the Lady Statesmen (8-4, 2-0 MCC). She also grabbed nine rebounds and a pair of steals. Sarah Martin chipped in 14 points, Samantha Darley nine, and Orielle Thomas eight. Thomas also snared 10 boards.

Mount Mercy is off during finals week, then travels to Dubuque for a league showdown with Clarke on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 1:00 p.m. at the Kehl Center.