Mustangs rout Crusaders, reach 20 wins again

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Mount Mercy's depth and offensive firepower were too much for Clarke on Wednesday as the 18th-ranked Mustangs reached the 20-win mark with a 72-49 defeat of the Crusaders at Hennessey Recreation Center.

Mount Mercy (20-6) held an opponent below 50 points for third time this season while hitting 20 wins for the second year in a row and third time in four seasons. The Mustangs overcame a season-high 28 turnovers by outrebounding Clarke, 53-33, and limiting the Crusaders to 24.2 percent shooting.

Kyle Lamaak poured in 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench for Mount Mercy. CJ Parker added 12 points, Alex Houston 11 and Ben Struss 10. Chris Ford collected a game-high 10 rebounds and seven assists. Tre Wagner finished with seven points, four boards and five assists. Antwain Strong had five rebounds and Derik Gogg ended up with three of the team's six blocked shots.

Clarke was led by Haris Takes with 14 points. Jud Sailsbery and Brinsley Walker scored 12 points apiece. Ernest Bolden Jr. had six rebounds and David Neis tallied five assists and three steals.

Mount Mercy will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday prior to a 4:00 p.m. tip off against Governors State (Ill.) at Hennessey Rec Center. The Mount Mercy athletics department is also asking fans to donate bottled water on Saturday in support of Project Hope Flint, Mich., an effort spearheaded by Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids.