Mustangs fall to Chargers in season opener

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- Briar Cliff shot 52 percent from the floor and held a 2-to-1 advantage at the free throw line to beat Mount Mercy, 89-72, in Monday's season opener at the Flannagan Center.

The Chargers (1-0) outscored the Mustangs (0-1) by seven in the first half and by 10 in the second period to get the win. They were also 21-of-23 at the free throw line while Mount Mercy went 10-of-18 from the charity stripe. The Mustangs did shoot better than 50 percent from the field but were just 4-of-18 from 3-point range.

Ryan Bartley led four Mustangs in double figures with 24 points on 11-of-22 shooting. Anthony Horton, Jr. added 17 points and a team-high three assists. Riley Pankey chipped in 12 points, Landen Sullivan 10 points off the bench. Jakari Bradley pulled down a team-best seven rebounds.

Blake Sindelar poured in a game-high 31 points to lead the Chargers. Three teammates joined him in double digits, including Jamison Helmers with 18 points, Matthew Stilwill with 16, and Wil Lugar with 13. Sindelar and Helmers had six rebounds apiece and Sindelar collected four steals.

Mount Mercy is at Waldorf on Nov. 7 for a 7:30 pm tip-off at Hanson Fieldhouse, then hosts St. Ambrose in their home opener on Nov. 11 at 3:00 pm at Hennessey Recreation Center.