Hot-shooting V-Hawks handle Mustangs

LA CROSSE, Wis. -- Viterbo shot a blistering 70 percent from the floor in the first half and 64.8 percent for the game in an 88-69 victory over the Mount Mercy men's basketball team on Saturday afternoon at R.W. Beggs Sr. Gymnasium.

While the V-Hawks (5-6) had the hot hand in the opening period, the Mustangs (7-5) struggled to shoot 32 percent and trailed, 54-26, at intermission. While Mount Mercy picked it up and shot 58.6 percent after the break, Viterbo continued at a 58.3 percent clip, making that huge first-half deficit too much for the Mustangs to overcome.

There was balance offensively for Mount Mercy, but only two players reached double figures. Lavaris Duncan scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds in just 13 minutes while Bailey Basala also had 11 points for the Mustangs. Cole Hrubes and Melvin Lee finished with nine points apiece and Chris Giles dished out four assists.

Robert Cunitz poured in 22 points and Jack Morris had 21 to lead the V-Hawks. Noah Fredrickson and Brady Polk joined them in double digits with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Morris pulled down five rebounds while Cunitz and Fredrickson each tallied four assists.

Mount Mercy takes on Clarke in a Heart of America Athletic Conference matchup on Thursday at 7:30 pm at Kehl Center in Dubuque.