Top-ranked Cougars eliminate Mustangs

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. -- For the second game in a row, 14th-ranked Mount Mercy got off to a slow start and trailed by double digits at the half. But this time, the Mustangs' second half rally came up short as top-ranked Saint Francis (Ind.) held on for an 89-82 victory in the second round of the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship on Friday at Keeter Gymnasium.

The Cougars built a 42-28 advantage by intermission, then saw Mount Mercy close within nine, 49-40, on Kyle Lamaak's basket with 14:54 to go in the second half. After Saint Francis pushed its lead back to 17 at the 10-minute mark, the Mustangs got three straight 3-pointers by Tre Wagner during a 12-2 run that cut their deficit to seven, 63-56, with 8:34 remaining.

That was as close as Mount Mercy could get, however. The Cougar lead was 16 with two minutes left before the Mustangs cut that in half with just over a minute to go. Missed free throws by Saint Francis kept Mount Mercy hopes alive, but the Cougars knocked down just enough foul shots late to tie the school record for wins in a season and advance to the quarterfinal round on Saturday.

Alex Houston scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed six rebounds in his final game in a Mustang uniform. Wagner, also playing his final game for Mount Mercy, finished with 16 points and three assists. Ben Struss added 10 points and a team-high seven boards, but Saint Francis still held a commanding 48-26 advantage on the glass. The Mustangs finish the season at 26-8 overall.

Kegan Comer and Evan Henry scored 18 points apiece for the Cougars (31-4). Austin Fox added 17 points and 12 rebounds and Bryce Lienhoop 16 points and 11 boards. Jordan Hahn knocked down four treys and chipped in 14 points off the bench. Saint Francis and Keiser (Fla.) square off in a Saturday quarterfinal at 1:00 p.m. at Keeter Gymnasium.