Mustangs swat Bees for fourth home win

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Mount Mercy men's basketball team earned a measure of revenge Monday, beating St. Ambrose, 82-69, in non-conference action at Hennessey Recreation Center. The victory avenges an 86-75 road loss to the Fighting Bees on Nov. 8 in Davenport.

A huge 3-point shooting advantage was key to the victory as the Mustangs hit 11-of-26 shots from behind the arc (42.3%), while St. Ambrose connected on only 3-of-21 (14.3%).

Bailey Basala led five Mustangs in double figures with a game-high 17 points, including four 3-point baskets. RoyShawn Webb had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while also dishing out six assists. Starters Ryan Bartley and Lavaris Duncan posted 15 and 10 points respectively, while Melvin Lee added 10 points in only 12 minutes off the bench.

Will Spriggs led St. Ambrose with 13 points. Jake Conerty added nine points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in 26 productive minutes off the bench for the Bees.

Mount Mercy won both halves, leading 36-33 at the break. The Mustangs led throughout the second half and took their biggest lead at 15 points on a field goal by Bartley with 10 seconds remaining.

The Mustangs (6-4, 1-2 Heart) host Heart of America Athletic Conference foe Culver-Stockton (10-1, 1-1 Heart) at 7:30 pm Wednesday before traveling to La Crosse, Wis., for a non-conference game against Viterbo at 2:00 pm Saturday.