Mustangs avoid first round exit

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Top-seeded Mount Mercy watched a 15-point lead disappear, then needed overtime to avoid an upset bid by eighth-seeded Johnson & Wales (Colo.) on Friday night in the quarterfinals of the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Men's Basketball Championship at the U.S. Cellular Center.

Despite watching that lead evaporate, the 17th-ranked Mustangs were still up by six points, 85-79, with 39 seconds to go in regulation. The Wildcats hit a free throw with 29 seconds remaining, then back-to-back turnovers by Mount Mercy led to two more free throws and a game-tying trey by Jontrell Herman with 19 seconds left. After a quick shot by Tre Wagner, Johnson & Wales missed an opportunity to win it at the buzzer.

The Mustangs took a quick lead in overtime and never trailed in the extra period. With Mount Mercy up by three, 97-94, Alex Houston blocked a game-tying 3-pointer by Aaron Stone and buried a pair of foul shots with two seconds remaining to clinch a berth in Saturday's semfinals. The Mustangs (23-7) face fifth-seeded Central Christian (Kan.) (18-10) at 4:00 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Center.

Houston had a huge double-double for Mount Mercy, totaling a game-high 31 points and 12 rebounds. Wagner finished with 17 points, eight boards and a game-high seven assists. Chris Ford added 12 points, Sheawn Beford, Jr., chipped in 11 points and four rebounds.