Bees pull away late, defeat Mustangs

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- St. Ambrose scored the first eight points of the game and led wire-to-wire, holding off a strong second half by Mount Mercy to defeat the Mustangs, 82-63, in Saturday's non-conference men's basketball game at Hennessey Recreation Center.

The Bees (3-1) were on fire from 3-point range early, finishing 8-of-14 beyond the arc in the first half. They ended up shooting 58.2 percent from the floor in the game overall and out-rebounded the Mustangs (0-3), 39-22. Mount Mercy forced 13 turnovers while committing just nine themselves.

Rusmir Hamzic knocked down three treys and finished with a team-high 17 points for the Mustangs. Ryan Bartley added 14 points and five rebounds. Anthony Horton, Jr. tallied 11 points and team-best three assists. Jakari Bradley contributed nine points and six boards off the bench.

Five Bees went for double figures, led by Ignacio Dacunda's game-high 23 points. He also grabbed eight rebounds. Jake Friel had 13 points, nine boards, and six assists. Aiden Cilladi ended up with 12 points and six rebounds. Elgin Bowen Jr. scored 11 points, Guillermo Narbona 10 points to go along with seven boards.

Mount Mercy opens league play this week, traveling to Des Moines to take on Grand View in a Heart of America Athletic Conference opener on Wednesday at 7:30 pm at Sisam Arena.