Graceland Falls at Mount Mercy, 85-55, in Heart Road Contest

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Graceland University women's basketball team dropped an 85-55 decision to Mount Mercy on Tuesday night at Hennessey Rec Center, falling to 4-21 overall and 3-14 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play. Mount Mercy improved to 10-14 overall and 6-11 in conference competition.

The Yellowjackets trailed wire-to-wire as Mount Mercy shot 45.5% from 3-point range and dished out 20 assists on 28 made field goals, creating consistent offensive separation across all four quarters. The Mustangs opened the game on a 24-17 first-quarter edge and extended the margin to 47-28 at halftime behind efficient perimeter shooting and second-chance production.

According to the official box score , Graceland finished 20-of-64 from the field (31.3%) and 2-of-14 from beyond the arc (14.3%). Mount Mercy connected on 15-of-33 attempts from 3-point range and shot 43.1% overall. The Mustangs also held a 48-38 rebounding advantage and generated 20 second-chance points.

Senior forward Ianara Morbidoni led Graceland with 14 points on 6-of-18 shooting and added nine rebounds and a block in 35 minutes. Angelique Taylor contributed 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting and went 4-of-5 from the free-throw line, while Brooklyn Davis added 12 points and seven rebounds, converting 8-of-10 from the stripe.

Graceland was limited to three total assists and shot 26.7% in the second quarter and 20.0% in the third, as Mount Mercy capitalized on ball movement and spacing. Isabel Wallschlaeger recorded 10 assists to pace the Mustangs, while Sadie Struchen scored 18 points, including six made 3-pointers.

The Yellowjackets produced 26 points in the paint and 14 second-chance points, but struggled to convert from the perimeter and in half-court execution. Mount Mercy built its largest lead of 34 midway through the fourth quarter.

Despite the setback, Graceland continues to compete with three regular-season contests remaining. The Yellowjackets have been eliminated from postseason contention but remain focused on finishing the schedule with improved execution and defensive consistency.

Head coach Willie Scott emphasized growth and accountability following the game.

"We have to stay disciplined within our offensive sets and communicate better on defensive rotations," Scott said. "Our effort is there, but at this level, you have to execute possessions on both ends. With three games left, our focus is on competing for 40 minutes and continuing to build habits that reflect our standard."

Graceland will return to action Saturday, Feb. 14 at 12 p.m. CST when it travels to face Missouri Baptist at R. Alton Lacey Gymnasium in St. Louis, Missouri.

For more information on Graceland women's basketball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.