Late surge not enough for Mustangs

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Despite causing 22 turnovers and outscoring Waldorf by eight points in the paint, the Mount Mercy men's basketball team fell short against the Warriors, 99-92 on Thursday night at Hennessey Recreation Center.

The 20th-ranked Mustangs (18-6) never led and faced their largest deficit of 23 points just seconds into the second half. The Warriors' offense was too much for Mount Mercy as they shot 62.3 percent from the field, including 47.4 percent from behind the arc. A 65-point first half turned out to be too much for the Mustangs to overcome.

Waldorf (13-9) also nearly doubled the Mustangs on the glass, 44-24. Four of the five starters were in double figures for the Warriors. Erik Brewer collected 28 points, Tyler Parrish 25, June Prowell 22 and Michael Morgan 10.

Four players were in double figures for the Mustangs, who committed just eight turnovers and had 19 assists. Chris Ford led the way with 20 points, Alex Houston and Kyle Lamaak had 18 each and Tre Wagner added 16. The Mount Mercy bench outscored the Warriors' bench 34-18, but that wasn't enough to close the gap.

Mount Mercy will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m. when they host St. Ambrose at Hennessey Rec Center. The two teams faced off in the season opener in Davenport, where the Mustangs won, 72-71, at the buzzer.