Mustangs hold on, defeat Bobcats

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Mount Mercy men's basketball team used a big first half to earn their first Heart of America Athletic Conference win of the season Wednesday night, a 90-85 victory over Peru State at Hennessey Recreation Center.

The Mustangs (5-3, 1-1 Heart) led, 53-39, at the break then held off a determined Bobcat squad down the stretch. Both teams shot nearly 53 percent from the floor overall, but Mount Mercy held a distinct advantage beyond the arc. The Mustangs were 11-of-27 while the Bobcats (5-7, 1-2 Heart) struggled to 4-of-22 from 3-point range.

Four Mustangs reached double digits, led by Bailey Basala's 18 points. He also collected three rebounds and four assists. RoyShawn Webb had 14 points, four boards, and three steals. Ryan Bartley tallied 12 points and Cole Hrubes 11 off the bench. Zaire Swaby joined them in double figures with 10 points to go along with a team-high eight rebounds.

Dedoch Chan was nearly unstoppable off the bench for Peru State. He posted game highs of 32 points and 12 rebounds in 34 minutes while shooting 15-of-16 from the floor. Henry Tanksley added 15 points, Troy Houghton 14 points and nine boards, and Jibril Harris 14 points and six rebounds.

Mount Mercy travels to Des Moines for a Heart contest with Grand View on Saturday at 4:00 pm.