CLINTON, Iowa - Catalina de la Quintana scored 17 of her game-high 21 points in the first half and an efficient three-point barrage helped Mt. Mercy College storm past the Ashford University women's basketball team on Saturday, 95-56, in Kehl Arena.

The Mustangs (13-9, 5-3 MCC) erupted for a 58-point first half on over 66 percent shooting from the floor, including eight three-point field goals and sent the Saints (7-12, 1-7 MCC) reeling to their sixth consecutive loss.

Ashford had no answer for the trifecta as Mt. Mercy drained 15 buckets from beyond the arc. Quintana connected on four, starting guard Kadie Carman made all three of her tries from downtown and reserve Emily Greiner also hit three.

AU junior guard Kayla Crist of Stanwood scored all of her 10 points in the first period and senior guard Kelly Fisher of Fremont, Calif., led the Saints with 11 on 5-of-9 shooting.

"It was a disappointing performance," AU Head Coach Chris Powers said. "We didn't defend the longball well and dug ourselves a hole that we couldn't get out of."

The Saints matched pace with the Mustangs midway through the first half until Mt. Mercy rattled off a 16-2 run and led by 25 after a jumper in the lane by Mackenzie Skay, another prolific soccer player.

Crist had four points in the final two minutes before the intermission on a layup and pair of free throws, but Carman hit a trey as time wound down to give Mt. Mercy a comfortable 24-point margin at the half.

Making her first career start, junior Heather Hoge of Camanche scored the Saints' first pair of baskets in the second half to cap a 6-0 run, but Carman dialed up long distance again to reclaim Mustang momentum.

Hoge and senior forward Bethany Mahmens of Goose Lake combined for 12 points.

Mahmens' older sister, Alicia (Mahmens) Christiansen, was honored following the game in a special ceremony in front of family and friends as the newest inductee into the Ashford Athletics Hall of Fame. Christiansen, a two-time NAIA All-American, finished her prolific career as the institution's (male or female) all-time leading scorer with 1,804 points.

Mt. Mercy would go on another 11-0 run in a three-minute span to pad its advantage up to as many as 39 points and would cruise to the end.

The Saints look to get back in the winning column on Monday in Dubuque, traveling to Clarke College for a 5:30 p.m. game.