CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Onto the new year, the Mustangs would jump right back into conference action hosting the Vikings of Missouri Valley College. In a close back and forth game, both teams would struggle in the beginning to find a groove. However, coming down to the wire, the Vikings would come out on top over the Mustangs 63-59 dropping the Mustangs to 4-10 overall and 0-8 in the Heart of America Conference.To start the game, the Mustangs would strike first with an opening field goal by Sharice Kawakami (SR/Honolulu, Hawaii). The Mustangs lost the lead only once in the first quarter leading by as much as six. Six points was the furthest either of the teams would jump ahead as they stayed neck and neck the duration of the 40 minutes. In the second quarter, the Vikings began to crawl back seeking to steal the lead before Lakin Goodman (SR/Morrison, Ill.) hit two big three pointers to extend the Mustang lead right before the half. However, the Vikings would score four unanswered points before the half leaving the Mustangs with just a one point advantage.Opening up the second half with a 5-0 run, the Mustangs jumped out to a 33-27 lead. The Vikings had an answer with a 7-0 run of their own. Pulling to within one midway through the third quarter, the Vikings would eventually steal the lead 44-43 with 2:25 left in the third quarter. However, the Mustangs regained the lead before the end of the quarter after a clutch three by Audrey Mulumba (JR/Vantaa, Finland). Throughout the second half, the Mustangs battled foul trouble, but continued to use all their resources to fight until the very last buzzer. Three consecutive three pointers would keep the Mustangs in the game down to the very last minute as Chelsey Lampe (SR/Riverside, Iowa) scored the basket to put the Mustangs up 57-56 with 3:30 left in the game. The Mustangs would then lose the lead and the ball game after a steal and converted three-point play at the other end of the court for the Vikings. The Mustangs got a last second shot attempt, but it was quickly foiled by the Vikings. Despite holding the lead for much of the game, the Mustangs dropped another conference matchup.In tonight's conference matchup, the Mustangs shot 33.9% from the field and 37.1% from beyond the arc converting 13 three pointers, while shooting 100% from the free throw line. The Mustangs pulled down 35 total rebounds with nine of those being offensive. Individual leaders were Mulumba with 16 followed by Kawakami with 12. Additionally, Mulumba lead in rebounds as she pulled down a total of seven. Brianna Thomas (JR/Mesquite, Texas) would dish out seven assists on the night. Mulumba also added one steal and one block to cap off her performance tonight. Up next, the Mustangs will host another conference matchup on Saturday, Jan. 5 against Peru State College at 2:00 P.M. Saturday will also mark the fourth annual Do It For Danny Winter Whiteout. We will be honoring the legacy of former men's basketball and track & field standout, Danny DeBacker. Wear white and bring new packages of socks and underwear, mittens, gloves, and hats to donate to the Catherine McAuley Center and the Willis Dady Center in Cedar Rapids. Everyone who donates receives free admission.
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