[Men's Basketball] Mustangs inch closer to top 25

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- As the Mount Mercy men's basketball team battles for a conference title, the Mustangs are also vying for a spot in the national rankings. This week, Mount Mercy worked its way up to No. 26 in the NAIA Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll.

Two weeks ago, the Mustangs (17-8, 10-3 MCC) were 27th before a home loss to Clarke knocked them back a few spots. Three wins later, Mount Mercy finds itself not only in the hunt for its first MCC title since 1996, but its first national ranking since the 2006-07 campaign.

The Mustangs are at No. 26 with 61 points in this week's poll. Indiana Tech (18-8) garnered 88 points and crept back into the top 25 after a one-week absence, while Warner Pacific (Ore.) is right behind Mount Mercy with 60 points. Walsh (Ohio), the only undefeated team left in NAIA Division II, retained the top spot for the eighth straight week.

Mount Mercy is a game-and-a-half back of league-leading Iowa Wesleyan (19-2, 11-1 MCC) in the Midwest Collegiate Conference. The Tigers, who moved up one spot to No. 9 in this week's rating, visit Hennessey Recreation Center on Wednesday, Feb. 9. Iowa Wesleyan held on to defeat the Mustangs, 75-73, on Jan. 19 in Mount Pleasant.

Before next week's showdown with the Tigers, Mount Mercy needs a road win at St. Ambrose (18-7, 7-5 MCC) to remain in title contention. The Bees also received votes in this week's coaches' poll, coming in at No. 33 with 13 points. The Mustangs defeated St. Ambrose, 72-66, on Jan. 12 at Hennessey Recreation Center. Mount Mercy fans are hoping for a similar result when the two teams square off tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at Lee Lohman Arena.