Physical game favors Statesmen

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The ball did not bounce the Mount Mercy men's basketball team's way, falling 109-72 in a very face-paced and physical game to ninth-ranked William Penn in Heart of America Athletic Conference action at Hennessey Rec. Center

The Statesmen tried to pull away early, but the Mustangs hung around. A Cole Hrubes layup made it 15-12 and Ryan Bartley free throws kept Mount Mercy within striking distance at 28-22. It wasn't until the final six minutes that William Penn (20-2, 16-0 Heart) out-muscled the Mustangs with a 25-14 run for the 53-36 halftime lead. The Statesmen controlled the entire second half.

Mount Mercy (5-16, 2-14 Heart) was out-rebounded 69-29 which resulted in a 60 to 22 points in the paint advantage going to William Penn. In a game that saw 48 combined fouls, both teams connected on 24 free throws.

The lone Mustang in double figures was Bartley who finished with 27, going 13-for-16 from the free throw stripe. Kyle Kelley totaled nine points, knocking down half of Mount Mercy's 3-pointers. Jakari Bradley had six boards and Anthony Horton Jr. recorded four assists. William Penn put four in double figures, led by Malik Edwards with 16. 

The Mustangs travel to Lamoni on Wednesday, Feb. 1 for a Heart rematch against Graceland (13-9, 8-8 Heart). Tip off is slated for 7:30 pm at the Morden Center.