Late scoreless drought dooms Mustangs

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- A five-minute scoreless drought to end the game cost the Mount Mercy men's basketball team in a 75-69 loss to Culver-Stockton in Wednesday night's Heart of America Athletic Conference contest at Hennessey Recreation Center.

With the game tied at 67, Riley Pankey's layup moved the Mustangs (3-10, 2-7 Heart) in front by two but they wouldn't score again the rest of the way. The Wildcats (7-6, 5-4 Heart) scored the final eight points to claim the first league matchup of the new year.

Ryan Bartley topped Mount Mercy scorers with 17 points to go along with a team-high eight rebounds. Anthony Horton, Jr. added 14 points, six boards, and five assists. Jaxson Fried hit four three-pointers and chipped in 14 points off the bench.

Tai Walters-Whitaker poured in a game-high 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Culver-Stockton. Robert Fry II tallied 17 points, Seth Larson 11.

Mount Mercy welcomes Benedictine (4-9, 3-7 Heart) to Hennessey Rec Center on Saturday for a 2:00 pm tip-off.