Mount Mercy University - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mustangs plan to open facility in 2017

Mount Mercy University plans to break ground on the new $15 million Robert W. Plaster Athletic Complex this spring and have the massive outdoor facility ready for competition in the spring of 2017.

The university revealed final plans for the complex during a Holiday Open House at the University Center on campus Thursday evening. The Mustangs have raised $12.5 million so far for the facility and are seeking an additional $2.5 million in gifts to reach their goal, Mount Mercy President Laurie Hamen announced to a gathering of alumni, faculty, students, staff and friends.

The new facility will feature a baseball field, softball field and a stadium for soccer and track, among other features. The softball stadium has been named Busse Field in honor of a donation from the Busse Family.

Hamen said a final decision on whether to begin a varsity football program will be made early in 2016. If Mount Mercy adds football, the stadium can be modified to hold practices and games.

An animated video of the Plaster Complex was played during the Holiday Open House, showing an overhead view of all three lighted fields, a walking and bike trail, locker rooms, concession stand and parking lots.

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Mount Mercy knocks off Wartburg

CJ Parker collected a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds Saturday as Mount Mercy topped Wartburg, 85-75, in a men's basketball game at the Hennessey Recreation Center.

Chris Ford also scored 17 points as the Mustangs raised their record to 8-3. Tre Wagner contributed 16 points for Mount Mercy.

Nick Webber scored 20 points for Wartburg (4-3).

WARTBURG (75): Kalan 1 0-0 2, Herman 3 0-0 8, Woeste 2 7-10 11, Webber 8 3-3 20, Putchio 1 1-2 3, Stoveall 1 2-2 4, Brown 2 3-4 7, Kickbush 3 0-0 8, Sabus 3 0-0 7, Pitz 1 0-0 2, Ellis 1 0-0 3. Totals 26 16-21 75.

MOUNT MERCY (85): Houston 2 1-1 5, Wagner 4 8-11 16, Parker 4 8-9 17, Brawner 2 2-2 7, Bedford 1 0-0 3, Strong 3 1-4 8, Ford 6 3-3 17, Lamaak 4 0-0 8, Gogg 2 0-0 4. Totals 28 23-30 85.

Halftime - Mount Mercy 46, Wartburg 34. 3-point goals - Wartburg 7 (Herman 2, Kickbush 2, Webber 1, Sabus 1, Ellis 1), Mount Mercy 6 (Ford 2, Parker 1, Brawner 1, Bedford 1, Strong 1).

Weiland sparks Mount Mercy women

Alisa Weiland popped in four 3-pointers and scored 22 points Thursday night as the Mount Mercy women's basketball team dunked Calumet, 72-43, at the Hennessey Recreation Center.

Ashley Dolan scored 15 points for the Mustangs (5-7). Makenzie Zeitler contributed eight rebounds, eight steals and five assists.

Brittni Kisul scored 16 points for Calumet (0-5).

CALUMET (43): Daniels 2 4-6 8, Moore 0 0-4 0, Epps-Jones 0 4-4 4, Sanders 2 0-0 4, Kisul 6 2-2 16, Ali 4 2-4 11. Totals 14 12-20 43.

MOUNT MERCY (72): Herb 4 0-0 9, Blowers 0 0-0 0, Weiland 0 0-0 22, Harmon 1 0-0 2, Zeitler 1 1-2 3, Goodman 0 0-0 0, Jordan 0 0-0 0, Sexton 2 0-0 5, Valadez 0 0-0 0, Keating 1 0-0 3, Lampe 1 0-0 2, Thompson 2 0-0 5, O'Donnell 1 0-0 2, Dolan 7 0-1 15, Lehman 2 0-0 4. Totals 31 1-3 72.

Halftime - Mount Mercy 38, Calumet 19. 3-point goals - Calumet 3 (Kisul 2, Ali 1), Mount Mercy 9 (Weiland 4, Herb 1, Sexton 1, Keating 1, Thompson 1, Dolan 1).

Mount Mercy women nipped by Wesleyan

MOUNT PLEASANT - The Mount Mercy women's basketball team was nipped by Iowa Wesleyan, 49-48, in an NAIA game at Ruble Arena in Mount Pleasant Wednesday night.

Alisa Weiland gave Mount Mercy a 45-44 lead with a jump shot with 1:22 left in the game, but Iowa Wesleyan scored five straight points for a 49-45 advantage. Weiland hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final score.

McKenna Sexton led Mount Mercy (4-7) with 10 points. Makenzie Zeitler grabbed 15 rebounds.

Mount Mercy led 34-21 at halftime, but the Mustangs scored only 14 points in the second half.

Rachel Williams scored 18 points for Iowa Wesleyan (6-1) and Dakota Flesner had 17.

MOUNT MERCY (48): Herb 1 2-4 4, Weiland 3 0-0 7, Harmon 1 0-0 3, Zeitler 3 2-2 8, Thompson 0 0-0 0, Blowers 3 0-0 9, Sexton 3 2-2 10, Lampe 2 0-0 5, Dolan 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 6-10 48.

IOWA WESLEYAN (49): Williams 6 4-4 18, Massner 0 0-0 0, Jaimie Hurd 0 0-2 0, Moselesy 1 0-0 3, Flesner 8 1-1 17, Ray 1 0-0 2, Julie Hurd 0 0-0 0, Allen 2 2-2 6, Brandvold 1 1-1 3. Totals 19 8-10 49.

Halftime - Mount Mercy 34, Iowa Wesleyan 21. 3-point goals - Mount Mercy 8 (Blowers 3, Sexton 2, Weiland 1, Harmon 1, Lampe 1), Iowa Wesleyan 3 (Williams 2, Moselesy 1).