[Men's Basketball] Kenyi’s big night sparks Mustangs

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Senior forward Sam Kenyi put up 26 points and 17 rebounds, helping 22nd-ranked Mount Mercy hold off William Penn, 79-78, in Midwest Collegiate Conference men's basketball on Wednesday at Hennessey Recreation Center.

It was Kenyi's putback of a Markus Cocroft layup with 22 seconds left that proved to be the game-winner for the Mustangs (9-2, 1-1 MCC). Moments later, junior guard Sid Beck made the defensive play of the night, coming from behind to block a shot by Alan Douglas with three seconds to go that could have won the game for the Statesmen (6-7, 1-1 MCC).

Three more Mustangs joined Kenyi in double digits. Junior forward Chad Underwood added 17 points and seven rebounds. Junior forward Alex Coleman, who missed the last two games with an ankle injury, was back in the lineup and tallied 10 points and eight boards. Senior guard David Campbell also ended up with 10 points. Cocroft returned from a shoulder injury to finish with four assists.

Douglas scored a game-high 29 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Statesmen. Austin Emerson chipped in 16 points, Taylor Stoutner 14 points and six boards. Blake Walker had four assists.

Clarke visits Hennessey on Saturday, fresh off a 64-55 upset of 15th-ranked Grand View tonight in Des Moines. The Crusaders, who are receiving votes in the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll, take on the Mustangs at 3:00 p.m.