Mustangs Dominant in Win Against Dakota Wesleyan

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mount Mercy maintained control from start to finish Sunday afternoon, defeating Dakota Wesleyan 82–60 at Hennessey Recreation Center. The Mustangs improved to 3–3 overall, earning their third nonconference victory — matching their most in a season since 2022.

Behind a balanced offensive attack, Mount Mercy shot 48.3% from the field and a perfect 21-for-21 from the free-throw line, notching the second highest free throws made total without a miss in a game in program history. Brayson Laube led all scorers with 27 points on 8-of-13 shooting and 9-of-9 from the stripe. Aidan Yamilkoski added 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Jaxson Fried provided an efficient 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting.

The Mustangs established tempo early, turning a 6–5 deficit into a 16–6 advantage with a 10–0 run sparked by Kaden Johnson's perimeter shooting and defensive energy. Mount Mercy led 47–33 at halftime after shooting 51.9% in the opening frame.

In the second half, Mount Mercy's interior play and free-throw efficiency kept the Tigers at bay. Fried and Yamilkoski repeatedly converted in the lane as the Mustangs outscored Dakota Wesleyan 40–24 in the paint. Defensively, Mount Mercy forced 14 turnovers and held the visitors to 37.7% shooting.

Dakota Wesleyan (3–1) was paced by Easton Neuendorf with 15 points, while Anthony Riggans contributed 11. The Tigers managed just 6-of-25 from beyond the arc and trailed by as many as 25 in the second half.

Mount Mercy won the rebounding battle 38–32 and tallied 14 assists to seven for the Tigers. The Mustangs' defensive rotations and ball security proved decisive, committing only 11 turnovers in 40 minutes of play.

The Mustangs will have one more home game on Wednesday before Heart play begins, taking on Viterbo at 6 p.m.