NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Missouri State STUNT (8-16, 3-5 Mid America West) concluded its inaugural regular season on Saturday with its first-ever meetings against Mercyhurst and host team Trevecca Nazarene. MoState nipped at the heels of Mercyhurst throughout the morning matchup, but couldn't catch the Lakers in the final stretch. Trevecca Nazarene controlled the momentum from the jump in the afternoon game and never looked back.

"We knew the game against Mercyhurst was going to be a tough battle, so I am proud of how the girls played," head coach Kennedy Wingbermuehle said. "We know we have things to work on at home before conference next week."

Mercyhurst 16, Missouri State 14

The Bears and the Lakers  were locked in a heated battle for the entirety of the first game of the final day. Division I No. 4-ranked Mercyhurst (12-10, 4-4 MAWC) took a one-point lead after partner stunts and maintained that margin in pyramids & tosses as each team took three points in the second quarter. The Lakers took a 6-5 lead into halftime. Missouri State made up some ground in the third quarter with jumps & tumbling, where the Bears have shown strength throughout the season. MoState took three of the four points in the quarter to lead, 8-7, entering the team routine. Each team got two points in the first two rounds of the final quarter, but a clean sweep in the third round for Mercyhurst proved to be the turning point, turning a one-point deficit into a two-point lead. That margin was held in the final round, with Mercyhurst holding onto the pivotal conference win, 16-14.

Trevecca Nazarene 19, Missouri State 5

The DII No. 8-ranked Trevecca Nazarene Trojans (24-2, 5-1 MAWC) had full control in its final day of games at home this season. The Trojans scored points in every round in the first half, while the Bears managed to split the second round of pyramids & tosses to make it an 8-1 score at halftime. Each team earned two points in jumps & tumbling, bringing Missouri State's point total to nine in the third quarter throughout the tournament. Trevecca Nazarene earned nine points in the team routine, while the Bears took the pyramids & tosses points of the first and third rounds of the fourth quarter. Trevecca Nazarene ends its regular season on a seven-game winning streak.

Up Next

Missouri State STUNT will compete in its first Mid America West Tournament to begin postseason play. The double elimination tournament will take place at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Kentucky on April 4-5. The seven MAWC teams (Central Arkansas, Kentucky, Mercyhurst, Missouri State, Northern Kentucky, Trevecca Nazarene and UT Martin) will be seeded and compete for a conference title.