Mt. Mercy Men's Basketball

Mustangs roll up 106 points in win

The Mount Mercy Mustangs are healthy, hungry and headed in the right direction again.

The Mustangs dumped Evangel, 106-81, in a Heart of America Conference game at the Hennessey Recreation Center Saturday as they chase a favorable seed in the league tournament.

Mount Mercy climbed within a half-game of fourth place in the conference standings with five games left in the regular season, sitting at 14-11 overall and 9-10 in the league.

The Mustangs are deeper and stronger than they've been all season, especially with Mychael Brawner-Henley back after missing nine games due to a school suspension.

Mount Mercy struggled with a 3-and-6 record without Brawner-Henley for four weeks, but the Mustangs have won both of their games since he returned this week.

Brawner-Henley, who averages 13.5 points, scored 17 points in 13 minutes off the bench Saturday. Dennis McKinney led the way with 25 points, Bailey Basala had 18 and DJ Johnson pitched in 16.

Read more...

McKinney shines for Mustangs on road

MARSHALL, Mo. - The Mount Mercy Mustangs returned to full strength Wednesday night and it showed with a 20-point victory on the road.

Dennis McKinney popped in six 3-pointers and poured in 31 points as Mount Mercy whipped Missouri Valley, 91-71, in a Heart of America Conference game in Missouri.

The important triumph lifted the Mustangs to 13-11 overall and 8-10 in the conference.

Mychael Brawner-Henley returned from a school suspension and contributed eight points and six rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench. Mohammed Albagami, who missed the previous game due to concussion protocol, also returned and scored eight points.

Bailey Basala, who missed several games in January due to a sprained ankle, hit four 3-pointers and contributed 12 points. Antwain Strong also notched 12 points with five rebounds and five assists.

Read more...

Mustangs slowed down by Baker

No juice. No joy.

That was the story for the Mount Mercy men's basketball team at the Hennessey Recreation Center Saturday afternoon.

The Mustangs were held to their lowest point total of the season and lost to Baker University, 75-62, in a Heart of America Conference game.

The setback dropped Mount Mercy to 12-11 overall and 7-10 in the conference, leaving the Mustangs in a three-way tie for seventh place in the tight league standings with Baker and Central Methodist.

The Mustangs are only one game out of sixth place in the Heart of America standings, but they're also only one game out of 12th place in the 13-team conference.

Mount Mercy came into the home game with two straight victories over MidAmerica Nazarene and Graceland, but they shot only 38.7 percent from the field and never got rolling. Baker had a 9-and-12 record when the ballgame began, yet was clearly the better team Saturday.

"I thought it was a huge disappointment," said Coach Aaron Jennings. "I thought coming off a couple of tough wins, you'd like to think you've got some momentum.

Read more...

Mustangs nip Graceland on road

LAMONI - The Mount Mercy Mustangs collected a precious road victory in the Heart of America Conference Thursday night with a tense 68-67 victory over Graceland in Lamoni.

Mount Mercy led by 14 points midway through the first half, but Graceland pulled within 68-67 on two free throws with just 10 seconds left in the contest.

The Mustangs committed a turnover with nine seconds remaining, giving Graceland a clear shot at victory, but the Yellowjackets missed a 3-pointer with seven seconds left. The Mustangs got the ball and ran  out the clock.

The victory lifted Mount Mercy to 12-10 overall and 7-9 in the conference. Graceland fell to 12-8 overall and 8-7 in the league.

The Mustangs, who lead all NAIA schools in 3-point shooting, were only 12 of 45 from distance. They were beaten on the backboards (45-32) and  shot only five free throws, but still found a way to win.

Read more...