Second half explosion fuels Mustang victory

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Mount Mercy men's basketball team closed 2021 on a three-game winning streak, beating Viterbo 94-85 Monday at Hennessey Recreation Center. Improving to 7-0 at home, the Mustangs avenged an 88-69 road loss to the V-Hawks just nine days before.

Bailey Basala had a huge night for the Mustangs, scoring 35 points including nine 3-pointers, tying Josh Keister (1993) for second-most in school history. That was also one off Keister's school record of 10 treys in a game in 1994. Basala also had eight rebounds, four blocks, and three assists before fouling out with 1:44 remaining.

Melvin Lee added 17 points in 22 minutes off the bench. RoyShawn Webb, the reigning Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Week, scored 15 points and pulled down a game-high 10 boards. Webb also dished out six assists and made two steals.

Brady Polk scored 25 points to lead Viterbo (5-8). Jack Monis scored 24 points to go along with nine rebounds and four assists. Robert Cunitz scored 15 points.

Viterbo rode a 10-3 run to lead 47-37 at halftime. Mount Mercy exploded for 57 points in the second half while holding the V-Hawks to 38. Trailing by nine with 11:04 remaining, Mount Mercy went on a 17-2 run to take a six-point lead with 6:33 to play. Viterbo trailed 81-80 with 3:37 to play but couldn't get any closer.

The Mustangs shot 63.3 percent in the second half, including 77.8 percent from behind the arc. The V-Hawks hit just 39.4 percent after the break, including 23.1 percent from downtown.

The Mustangs (10-5 overall, 3-2 Heart) pause for the holidays before returning to action Jan. 5. Mount Mercy hosts fifth-ranked conference foe William Penn at 7:30 pm.