Hot-shooting Mustangs get second-straight road win

LA CROSSE, Wis. -- Mount Mercy had its best shooting performance of the season on Monday night and counted five players in double figures in a 95-92, non-conference men's basketball victory over Viterbo at R.W. Beggs Sr. Gymnasium.

The Mustangs, who trailed by a point at the half in a game that featured six ties and 13 lead changes, shot 61.8 percent from the field, tied a season-high with 13 3-point field goals, and finished with a season-best 28 assists. It was the second consecutive road win for Mount Mercy, which won at 13th-ranked Evangel, 74-65, on Dec. 10.

Ryan Bartley, who knocked down four treys, and Anthony Horton, Jr. poured in 22 points each for the Mustangs. Riley Pankey buried five triples while scoring a season-high 15 points. Cole Hrubes added 14 points, Cody Westcott a season-best 10. Camron Pierson had five rebounds and five assists. Bartley also dished out five assists and Horton, Jr. tallied three steals.

Robert Cunitz led Viterbo with a game-high 23 points. Jack Monis chipped in 22 points, Ben Olson 20, Dakota Mannel 12, and Cole Crubel 10. Monis also finished with six rebounds, Mannel six boards and game-high eight assists.

Mount Mercy is off until Wednesday, Jan. 4, when they travel to Oskaloosa for a Heart of America Athletic Conference matchup against William Penn at 7:30 pm at Penn Gymnasium.