Struchen's big second half propels Mustangs to win

LA CROSSE, Wis. - Sadie Struchen scored 26 of her career-high 28 points in the second half of Saturday's matinee, leading the Mount Mercy women's basketball team to a 31-point victory over Viterbo (Wis.) inside the R.W. Beggs, Sr. Gymnasium. Struchen drained six 3-pointers as the Mustangs defeated the V-Hawks 87-56 in their last non-conference tune-up before Heart of America Athletic Conference play begins on Tuesday. 

Viterbo (1-4) held an 11-8 advantage after the first ten minutes, but Mount Mercy opened the second quarter on an 18-9 run highlighted by Anais Bonnemaison's trey in which the Mustangs took the lead and never looked back. The V-Hawks got within four on a couple of occasions, but the Mustangs went into the break up by six, 37-31. In a 90 second span during the third quarter, Struchen hit back-to-back-to-back shots from behind the arc. Later on in the fourth Struchen nailed two more 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to give the Mustangs their largest lead of 33.

After being held to under ten points in the opening frame, Mount Mercy scored 25 points or more in the final three periods on a scorching 52.3% shooting percentage from the field. Struchen paced all players with 28 points on 10-16 shooting, including 6-of-11 from behind the arc in just 15 minutes of action off the bench. Karlie Krogman added 10 off the bench and Chanel Kallevig two as Mount Mercy held a 42-37 bench point advantage. The Mustangs assisted on 28 of their 34 field goals, led by Tatum Grififn who dished out six. Malie Marfil and Annika Headington each finished with five assists. Bonnemaison finished in double figures with 15 while Marfil and Headington tallied 10 apiece. Madison Skelton pulled down nine rebounds to lead the Mustangs.

Mount Mercy (2-1) opens Heart play on Tuesday, Nov. 15 as they travel to Grand View (3-0). Tip is slated for 5:30 pm at the Sisam Arena in Des Moines.