Mustangs contend with ranked Statesmen

OSKALOOSA, Iowa - The Mount Mercy men's basketball team put up quite the fight against 17th-ranked William Penn in a Heart of America Athletic Conference contest Wednesday night. The Statesmen defeated the Mustangs 97-83 at Penn Gymnasium. 

The Mustangs used six first half 3-pointers, two from Riley Pankey and Rusmir Hamzic and one apiece from Cole Hrubes and Kenny Clay, to hold a four point advantage, 44-40, going into the break. 

Just 30 seconds into the second half, Hrubes knocked down another trey to extend the lead to five. The Statesmen turned up the defense and held Mount Mercy scoreless for six minutes, going on a 20-0 run in that time span, leading 66-49. Pankey's layup with 12:15 ended the Mustang's drought. Over the final 12 minutes, Ryan Bartley exploded for 23 of his game-best 32 points, single-handedly bringing Mount Mercy back within 10, 86-76. That was as close as the Mustangs would get as the Statesmen closed out the game to remain perfect in league play (12-2, 8-0 Heart). 

Bartley's 32 points were a career high, to go along with four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in 40 minutes of action. Hamzic added 13 off the bench, while Hrubes and Pankey chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively. Clay dished out six assists.

Mount Mercy (4-9, 1-7 Heart) hosts Baker (Kan.) (10-3, 5-2 Heart) on Saturday, Jan. 7 inside Hennessey Rec. Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm.