Mustangs escape V-Hawk surge

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Extending its winning streak to seven games looked like a sure thing with 14 minutes to go and Mount Mercy leading by 21, but Viterbo (Wis.) fought back to make it interesting before the 22nd-ranked Mustangs escaped, 79-74, on Saturday at Hennessey Recreation Center.

Mount Mercy led by 20 at the break and the score was 51-30 with 14:46 to go when the V-Hawks began their comeback. A 22-5 run over the next six minutes cut the Mustangs' lead to 56-52 by the eight minute mark. Three minutes later, Viterbo was within two. After Mount Mercy pushed its lead back to six, the V-Hawks tied things up at 69-69 with 1:20 remaining.

A trey and a conventional 3-point play by Chris Ford sandwiched around two free throws by Viterbo's Jake Bamke put the Mustangs back in front, 75-71, with 42 seconds on the clock. Ethan Haberman answered with a 3-point of his own to make it 75-74, but Ben Struss converted a layup and two foul shots in the game's final 20 seconds to clinch it.

Ford led a balanced scoring effort with 12 points. He also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds and finished with three assists. Alex Houston added 11 points. Struss, Tre Wagner and Mychael Brawner-Henley chipped in 10 points apiece. Kyle Lamaak scored seven points and grabbed seven boards.

Bamke ended up with a game-high 25 points while Haberman totaled 24 points and seven rebounds. Erik Englestad eight points and four steals, Jared Fleischmann eight points and three steals.

After visiting Lincoln Christian (Ill.) on Monday at 7:00 p.m., Mount Mercy (17-5) has the next four games at home, beginning with a match up with Waldorf on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.