Hot-shooting Mustangs defeat Wolves

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Behind nearly 50% shooting from 3-point range and an 18-7 run to close out the first half, the Mount Mercy men's basketball team held off a hungry Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) team for the 92-77 non-conference win inside Hennessey Rec. Center Tuesday night. 

In the first 12 minutes of play, the game featured eight lead changes and three ties. The Wolves built their largest lead of the game at 28-21, but the Mustangs erased that deficit after a Ryan Bartley layup assisted by Cole Hrubes. Tied up at 28, Mount Mercy closed out the first half on an 18-7 run, nine of those coming from deep off the hands of Cory Prather. Hrubes picked up his second foul and Prather stepped up, knocking down the first three shots he took, all from long range. 

The Mustangs carried the momentum over from the first half to the second half, extending their lead to 21 after a steal by Bartley led to a break-away layup for Kenny Clay. Consecutive turnovers from Mount Mercy allowed Cardinal Stritch (0-5) to get within nine, 59-50. Bartley scored 15 of his game-high 25 in the second half, including a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc to keep the Wolves at bay and pick up their second non-conference win of the young season. 

Mount Mercy (2-2) struggled from the free throw line, but used an 11-of-23 outing from deep to make up the difference. The Mustangs held the Wolves to just 7-of-29 from three-point range and had a 35-29 rebounding advantage. Bartley filled the stat sheet, finishing with 25 points, eight rebounds, four steals, two assists, and zero turnovers in 37 minutes of action. Hrubes and Clay each recorded double-digits with 13 and 10, respectively. Clay dished out a game-high six assists, and Anthony Horton, Jr. finished with five assists. 

The Mustangs have a short turnaround, traveling to Wisconsin-Platteville (2-1) for an exhibition with the Pioneers at Bo Ryan Court on Friday, November 18. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm.