Mustangs Cap off Season with a Win Over William Woods

FULTON, Mo. — Mount Mercy triumphed over William Woods in a decisive 93-77 victory on Saturday at Anderson Arena. The Mustangs showcased an impressive 55.6% shooting accuracy, with 40 points coming from the paint, setting the stage for their commanding win.

Mount Mercy hit the ground running, establishing an early lead they never relinquished. Jaxson Fried opened the scoring with a jumper just 20 seconds in, setting the tone for the Mustangs' efficient performance. Brayson Laube and Aidan Yamilkoski made significant contributions from beyond the arc, with Yamilkoski sinking a crucial 3-pointer at 2:29 to extend the lead to 44-20. William Woods struggled to keep up, though Brock Davis provided a brief spark with a three-pointer at 1:57 and a layup assisted by Jacob LaBounty at 1:36, narrowing the gap. Mount Mercy wrapped up the first half ahead 44-29, firmly in control with a 15-point lead.

In the second half, Mount Mercy continued to dominate, expanding their already sizable lead over William Woods. Fried was pivotal, scoring consistently in the paint, including consecutive layups at 15:49 and 15:27 to push the advantage into double digits. Jordan Willis added a three-point play, stretching the lead to 59-43 with 14:13 left on the clock. Despite some scoring attempts from William Woods, the Mustangs maintained their grip on the game, with Cameron Williams delivering a layup and free throw in the final minute to cement the 93-77 victory.

Fried led Mount Mercy with 25 points, making 10 of his 15 field goal attempts. Willis notched a double-double with 14 rebounds and 19 points. Laube added 20 points, including four 3-pointers, along with three assists. Yamilkoski chipped in from beyond the arc, hitting four 3-pointers for a total of 12 points.

For William Woods, Greg Cole led with 19 points, shooting 5 of 10 from the field and 3 of 7 from three-point range. He also went 6 of 8 from the free-throw line, adding three rebounds and a steal. Davis contributed 17 points, hitting 5 of 9 field goals, including 2 of 5 from beyond the arc, and went 5 of 6 from the line, adding seven rebounds, two blocks, and two assists. LaBounty scored 10 points, shooting 5 of 11 and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds, along with three assists. Michael Brooks II added 10 points, shooting 4 of 9, and contributed three rebounds and two assists.

The win marks the first time the Mustangs finish with a winning record since 2021-22, including the most wins in a season in that same timeframe, ending the season on a high note.