Mount Mercy handles 13th-ranked St. Ambrose

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Mount Mercy made the most of its opportunities from the free throw line and held off 13th-ranked St. Ambrose, 72-66, in Midwest Collegiate Conference men's basketball on Wednesday at Hennessey Recreation Center.

The victory kept the Mustangs (12-6, 5-1 MCC) within a half-game of league-leading Iowa Wesleyan (13-1, 5-0 MCC) and Ashford (14-5, 5-0 MCC). Mount Mercy connected on 80 percent (24-of-30) of its foul shots, while the Bees (13-4, 2-2 MCC) only connected on half of theirs (9-of-18).

Senior guard Jimmy Scroggins came off the bench to post a double-double for the Mustangs, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Junior guard David Campbell led Mount Mercy with 15 points and three steals, while senior forward Josh Watznauer added 12 points and six boards. Senior guard Jerome Campbell had eight points and five assists.

Mike Kennedy, the leading scorer in the MCC, put up 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Bees. Justin Blondell scored 12 points and dealt five assists, Justin Tiner had 10 points and four assists. Bryce Davis chipped in nine points and six boards, Chris Donnelly eight points, seven rebounds, and four steals.

Next up for the Mustangs will be another critical league matchup with 16th-ranked Iowa Wesleyan on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at Ruble Arena in Mount Pleasant.