Free throws clinch first road win for Mustangs

DUBUQUE, Iowa -- Ryan Bartley and Anthony Horton, Jr. made the go-ahead free throws and Mount Mercy survived a pair of 3-point attempts as time expired, giving the Mustangs their first road win of the season, 83-80, over Clarke on Wednesday night at the Kehl Center.

Bartley broke an 80-80 tie with two foul shots with 37 seconds left and after a defensive stop, Horton, Jr. added a free throw at the 13-second mark for the final margin. Clarke never led, but made it interesting late after trailing by as many as 10 with just over six minutes to play.

Bartley finished with a team-high 24 points to go with seven rebounds for the Mustangs (5-10, 4-7 Heart). Aidan Yamilkoski hit four treys while adding 17 points and five boards. Rusmir Hamzic tallied 14 points and eight rebounds. Horton, Jr. nearly had a triple-double again, totaling eight points, nine boards, and 15 assists. Jaxson Fried contributed 10 points and six rebounds off the bench.

The Pride (3-12, 1-10 Heart) were led by a game-high 31 points from Biggie Luster. He also had six rebounds, seven assists, and five steals. Anthony Eddy had 16 points, Daquon Lewis and Stefan Vasic 11 apiece.

The Mustangs were scheduled to play at Central Methodist this weekend, but a winter storm forced its postponement until Monday, Jan. 22, at 7:30 pm. Mount Mercy hosts Grand View on Monday, Jan. 15, at 7:30 pm at Hennessey Recreation Center.