Mustangs fall to Chargers in road contest

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- Briar Cliff built a 17-point lead in the first half and defeated the Mount Mercy men's basketball team, 78-66, in Tuesday's non-conference matchup at Newman Flanagan Center.

The decisive first period saw the Mustangs shoot just 40 percent from the floor overall and 2-of-9 from 3-point range while the Chargers knocked down 52.9 percent of their shots, including an 8-of-17 performance beyond the arc.

Things picked up after the break for Mount Mercy, which hit on 55.6 percent of its field goal attempts and went 6-of-10 from deep over the final 20 minutes. The Mustangs were unable to gain much ground since Briar Cliff kept it rolling offensively in the second period.

Starters accounted for 55 of Mount Mercy's 66 points. For the third-straight game, Ryan Bartley led the Mustangs with 18 points to go along with four rebounds and three steals. Cole Hrubes added a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards. Anthony Horton, Jr. chipped in 11 points and a team-best three assists.

Jaden Kleinhesselink poured in a game-high 20 points for the Chargers, who got their second win in a row over a Heart of America Athletic Conference squad. Briar Cliff knocked off seventh-ranked William Penn, 85-77, on Nov. 4. Kyle Boerhave finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists.

Mount Mercy is back at home on Nov. 15, hosting another non-conference game against Cardinal Stritch at 6:00 pm at Hennessey Recreation Center.