Mustangs dominate Sabercats to win season opener

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Bailey Basala scored 22 points in 19 minutes, leading six Mustangs in double figures in Mount Mercy's 106-62 victory over Maranatha Baptist in their season opener on Saturday afternoon at Hennessey Recreation Center.

Mount Mercy (1-0) shot 55 percent from the field in the opening period to take a commanding 61-23 lead at the break. The Mustangs finished with 14 treys, knocking down seven 3-pointers in each half to end up 14-of-39 beyond the arc. Mount Mercy also had a 51-29 advantage on the glass and collected 18 steals.

Basala hit four of his team's 14 triples and was 8-of-15 from the floor overall. Cole Hrubes poured in 15 points off the bench in his collegiate debut. Brandon Jackson tallied 13 points, RoyShawn Webb and Riley Pankey 11 each, and Tyler Kelley 10 points. Webb also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds while Melvin Lee had a team-best four assists and five steals.

Jed Mayhak led a pair of Sabercats in double digits with 17 points. Dylan Woodward chipped in 10 points and three assists, Caleb Moultrie nine points and team-high four rebounds.

The Mustangs are on the road for their next two games, beginning with a trip to Mount Pleasant on Tuesday to face Iowa Wesleyan at 6:00 pm. Then it's on to Davenport for another non-conference matchup with St. Ambrose on Nov. 1 at 7:00 pm. Mount Mercy's next home game is a date with Briar Cliff on Nov. 10 at 7:00 pm at Hennessey Rec Center.