Eagles come back, edge Mustangs

FAYETTE, Mo. -- Mount Mercy led by four at halftime, but saw Central Methodist make a second-half comeback to defeat the Mustangs, 90-81, in Tuesday night's Heart of America Athletic Conference men's basketball game at Puckett Field House.

Stats were similar for both teams, except at the foul line and on the glass. The Eagles had 28 free throw attempts compared to 10 for the Mustangs. Central Methodist finished 25-of-28 there while Mount Mercy was a perfect 10-of-10. The Eagles also held a 45-28 rebounding advantage.

The Mustangs (6-13, 5-10 Heart) had four starters in double figures. Anthony Horton, Jr. totaled 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Ryan Bartley finished with 15 points, five assists, and three steals. Jaxson Fried tallied 11 points and four assists, Cameron Pierson scored 10 points. Aidan Yamilkoski nailed four 3-pointers during a 14-point night off the bench.

Trey Sinegal had a game-high 21 points for the Eagles (16-2, 12-2 Heart).Everett Stubblefield tallied 17 points and four assists, TreVon Smith 15 points and eigh rebounds, and Peter Turay 14 points and 10 boards. Isaiah May also grabbed 10 rebounds to go with nine points.

Mount Mercy faces Missouri Valley (8-11, 7-8 Heart) in the second game of back-to-back Heart road contests. The Mustangs and Vikings tip off at 7:30 pm Wednesday at Burns Athletic Complex in Marshall, Mo.