Mustangs shake off slow start, hold on to beat Tigers

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Iowa Wesleyan scored 10 of the game's first 12 points, but Mount Mercy used a 19-2 run to take control and then hung on for a 67-58 victory over the Tigers in Saturday's non-conference men's basketball game at Hennessey Recreation Center.

After leading by as many as 18 points in the second half, the Mustangs (9-5) saw the Tigers (5-9) close to within four at 60-56 with just under four minutes to play. Mount Mercy was able to close it out down the stretch to earn their fourth win in the past five games.

Cole Hrubes scored 16 points off the bench to lead the Mustangs. Ryan Brantley added 14 points, RoyShawn Webb 13 points to go along with eight rebounds. Webb now has 1,013 points at Mount Mercy after becoming the 24th player in school history to reach 1,000 points in Thursday's win at Clarke. Tyler Kelley had nine points and tied Lavaris Duncan with a game-best nine rebounds.

Dylan Hurley had Iowa Wesleyan's first 10 points and finished with 18. He was the only Tiger in double figures. Victor Munoz chipped in eight points, Joey Brown and Carver Locke seven apiece. Munoz also pulled down eight rebounds.

Mount Mercy hosts Viterbo in their final non-conference game of the year on Monday with tip time 6:00 pm at Hennessey Rec Center. The Mustangs look to avenge an 88-69 loss to the V-Hawks on Dec. 11 in La Crosse, Wis.