Mustangs Narrowly Fall in Loss to Columbia

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Mount Mercy's balanced scoring effort wasn't enough to hold off a second-half surge from Columbia (Mo.) on Saturday afternoon, as the Mustangs fell 83-73 at Hennessey Recreation Center. Despite leading early and staying within striking distance for most of the contest, Mount Mercy couldn't overcome Columbia's perimeter shooting down the stretch.

Jaxson Fried paced the Mustangs with 24 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including three makes from beyond the arc, while Brayson Laube added 23 points, going a perfect 10-for-10 from the foul line. Kaden Johnson and Jordan Willis each chipped in nine points, and Aidan Yamilkoski added nine with three made triples.

Mount Mercy shot 45.8% from the field and 83.3% at the line, but Columbia's efficient second-half attack proved decisive. The Cougars connected on 61.5% from three-point range after halftime, led by Johnny Anderson's 25-point performance and Caleb Jones' 17 points.

The Mustangs trailed by just one at halftime, 36-35, behind a first-half stretch where Yamilkoski and Fried combined for back-to-back threes to spark a 10–5 run. Mount Mercy maintained its composure early in the second half, reclaiming a brief 38–36 lead on a Yamilkoski three-pointer, but Columbia responded with an 18–4 run fueled by hot perimeter shooting from Anderson and Adam Sausele.

Turnovers and second-chance points hindered Mount Mercy's comeback effort. Columbia held an 11–5 edge in points off turnovers and an 8–4 advantage in second-chance points, while also outrebounding the Mustangs 34–31.

The Mustangs will look to return to the win column on Sunday with a home matchup against Dakota Wesleyan, set to take place at 2 p.m.