Wildcats overcome halftime deficit, defeat Mustangs

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. -- A strong first half had the Mount Mercy men's basketball team up by three at intermission, but Baker responded after the break to overcome the Mustangs, 89-83, in a Heart of America Athletic Conference opener on Tuesday night.

Mount Mercy (4-3, 0-1 Heart) had one of its best shooting nights of the young season, hitting on 51.7 percent from the floor overall and 52.6 percent (10-of-19) from 3-point range. Baker (4-4, 1-1 Heart) was on fire beyond the arc as well, going 15-of-23 (65.2%) from deep.

Bailey Basala was 4-of-7 on threes and 7-of-12 overall while pouring in a team-high 21 points to go along with four assists. RoyShawn Webb had 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Lavaris Duncan contributed 11 points and a team-best eight boards off the bench. Brandon Jackson and Zaire Swaby added 10 points each. Swaby also grabbed seven rebounds.

Jalen Patterson buried six treys and led all scorers with 26 points. Justin Batts II tallied 13 points and six rebounds, Michael Brooks 11 points. Akeen Woods scored 10 points and dished out five assists off the bench.

Peru State visits Hennessey Recreation Center for a Heart of America contest on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 pm.