Cold-shooting Mustangs taste home defeat

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Mount Mercy men's basketball team came up cold Saturday, losing for just the second time this season at Hennessey Recreation Center. A 17-point second half was key in the 71-52 Heart of America Athletic Conference loss to Benedictine.

The Mustangs (15-10, 8-7 Heart) shot just 39.2 percent (20-of-51) overall and 34.8 percent (8-of-23) from 3-point range. After trailing just 36-35 at halftime, Mount Mercy went on an 8-0 run to start the second half and led 43-36 after a basket by Bailey Basala with 17:29 remaining. They scored only nine points on four baskets the rest of the game.

Ryan Bartley led the Mustangs with 11 points while Basala added eight points and nine rebounds. Brandon Jackson scored nine points in 11 minutes off the bench.

The Ravens (14-10, 8-7 Heart) shot 46.3 percent (25-of-54) from the floor and made half of their 3-pointers (14-of-28). Saxton Thuston and Nysir Scott came off the bench to lead Benedictine in scoring with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Starters Chris Jackson, Jayden Temme, and Matt Austin scored 11 points each.

The Mustangs face Culver-Stockton at 7:30 pm Wednesday in Canton, Mo., before returning home Saturday to host MidAmerica Nazarene. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 pm at Hennessey Recreation Center.