Mustangs escape with road win at Park

PARKVILLE, Mo. -- Mount Mercy surged ahead with a pair of free throws by Rusmir Hamzic with a minute and a half to play, then Ryan Bartley sealed it with two of his own as the Mustangs held on to defeat Park, 81-78, in Saturday's Heart of America Athletic Conference men's basketball game at Breckon Sports Center.

The Mustangs (7-16, 6-13 Heart) shot the ball well, hitting at a 52 percent clip overall while connecting on 39 percent of their 3-point attempts. The Pirates (8-14, 6-12 Heart) were limited to 42 percent from the floor, which included just a 3-of-18 (16.7%) performance beyond the arc.

Hamzic led four Mustangs in double digits, finishing with a game-high 24 points and five rebounds. Bartley ended up with 20 points and four boards.. Aidan Yamilkoski hit five triples during a 15-point, five-rebound game. Anthony Horton, Jr. had 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists.

Jasigha Barnes and Christian Bradford had 13 points apiece for Park. DeMarcus Hudson and Augusto Hausmann chipped in 12 points each. Hausmann and Jaden Robinson each collected seven rebounds while AJ Watson dished out a game-high seven assists.

Clarke (5-17, 3-15 Heart) visits Hennessey Recreation Center on Wednesday for a 7:30 pm start against the Mustangs.