Yellowjackets stifle Mustang offense

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Mount Mercy men's basketball team was held to their lowest point total of the season in a 76-47 Heart of America Athletic Conference loss to Graceland Wednesday night inside Hennessey Rec. Center. 

The Mustangs and Yellowjackets traded baskets for the first seven minutes of play, but four shots from behind the arc for Graceland (9-7, 4-6 Heart) in the final 11 minutes proved to be too much for Mount Mercy to overcome. The Yellowjackets took one out of the Mustangs' playbook, knocking down seven more 3-pointers in the second half. Mount Mercy is shooting it at a clip of 33.8 percent from long range on the season, but were just 4-for-17 from distance on the game.

Ryan Bartley finished with 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Cole Hrubes and Rusmir Hamzic each added 11 points. Riley Pankey grabbed eight rebounds to pace Mount Mercy (4-11, 1-9 Heart), while Landen Sullivan dished out three assists. Four of the Yellowjackets five starters totaled double-digit points, led by Seth Compas with 14. 

The Mustangs hit the road this weekend for a Heart contest against Culver-Stockton (Mo.) (6-9, 2-8 Heart) on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 4:00 pm at Charles Field House in Canton.