Early deficit too much to overcome for men's basketball

MARSHALL, Mo. -- A big halftime deficit was too much to overcome for the Mount Mercy men's basketball team on Wednesday night as the Mustangs fell to Missouri Valley, 87-67, in Heart of America Athletic Conference hoops at Burns Athletic Complex.

On the second night of back-to-back road games, the Vikings (9-11, 8-8 Heart) started the contest with a 14-0 run and led, 45-27, at intermission. The Mustangs (6-14, 5-11 Heart) had a better second half, but couldn't recover from that first 20 minutes.

Mount Mercy got stellar play from Aidan Yamilkoski and Elijah Ward, who came off the bench to combine for 35 points and 13 rebounds. Yamilkoski buried six 3-pointers for a team-high 18 points. Ward was a rebound shy of a double-double, totaling 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Ryan Bartley was the lone starter in double figures with 11 points. Anthony Horton, Jr. handed out five assists.

Keenan Jones finished with a game-high 20 points for the Vikings. Starters J'Luan Patterson chipped in 13 points and Cawhan Smith had 12 points and six assists. Vincent Taylor recorded 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Jace Lance finished with nine points, seven boards, and a game-high eight assists.

Mount Mercy will be back at Hennessey Recreation Center this weekend, hosting Baker (14-6, 12-4 Heart) at 2:00 pm.