Pride return to Heart play in dominant fashion with 91-72 win over Graceland

LAMONI, Iowa - In their first Heart of America Athletic Conference matchup since Nov. 18, the Clarke University women's basketball team didn't skip a beat in a 91-72 victory over Graceland University on Thursday afternoon.

Dominant first and third quarters were enough to lead the Pride to their eventual 19-point margin of victory as they outscored the Yellowjackets 28-13 in the opening 10 minutes then came back with a 23-15 third quarter as GU outscored Clarke slightly in both the second and fourth quarters.

Leading the charge in that high-scoring first quarter was junior Mya Merschman who poured in 12 of her season-high tying 22 points in the opening frame as she finished 8-of-11 (72.2%) from the field while knocking down three of her four three point attempts and all three of her free throws as she added four rebounds and an assists on the day.

Three of the remaining four starters also finished in double figures led by the second-straight, and third overall, double-double for senior forward Taylor Haase as the reigning back-to-back Heart Player of the Week scored 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting while grabbing a game-high 14 rebounds.

Nicole McDermott and Izzie Peterson also finished in double digits as McDermott added 14 points, five rebounds, an assist, and a steal, while Peterson scored a season-high 11 points going 3-for-4 from the field and 2-for-2 from deep while adding three assists and two rebounds.

Taylor Norris (9), Maci Kuchta (8), Halle Boldt (7), and Madison Lindauer (4) alll provided solid depth scoring performances as the Pride were able to keep their regular rotation, outside of Haase, all under 30 minutes played in the game with a quicker-than-usual turnaround to their next game on Saturday.

Graceland had four players in double figures led by Camry Dillie's 16 points but struggled from the field going 25-for-79 (31.6%) as a team and only scored 16 second chance points despite pulling down over half of their total rebounds (42) on the offensive glass (22).

That quick turnaround for CU will see the Pride hosting Baker University this Saturday for a 12:00 p.m. CT tip scheduled in the Kehl Center against the Wildcats.