Early lead doesn’t last in loss to Park

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Mount Mercy men's basketball team took a big first half lead Saturday at Hennessey Rec. Center before falling to Park (Mo.), 74-69 in a Heart of America Athletic Conference matchup. 

Mount Mercy built it's largest lead at 18 points on a Ryan Bartley layup with 3:47 to play in the first half. The Mustangs led 37-27 at halftime and didn't surrender the lead until Park's DeMarcus Hudson hit a 3-pointer with 12:55 remaining, to go ahead 46-45. There were 10 lead changes down the stretch until a Jaden Call jump shot put the Pirates in front at 68-67 with 2:21 to play. Mount Mercy couldn't overcome the deficit. 

The Mustangs (3-8, 1-6 Heart) shot 41 percent (25-for-61) overall, including 31 percent (9-for-29) from 3-point range. The Pirates (5-7, 3-4 Heart) shot 47.3 percent (26-for-55) overall and 36.8 percent (7-for-19) from beyond the arc.

Bartley led the Mustangs with 21 points and eight rebounds. Cameron Pierson scored 12 points and Kenny Clay dished out six assists while scoring seven points.

Park was led by Drew Kroft with 24 points. Shahadah Camp and Augusto Hausmann each scored 15 points while Hausmann and Robert Rhodes each tallied seven rebounds.

The Mustangs close out 2022 with a non-conference game at Viterbo (Wis.) (7-5) on Monday, Dec. 19. at 5:00 p.m. in La Crosse, Wis.