[Men's Basketball] Underwood’s 30 not enough for Mustangs

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Junior forward Chad Underwood put up 30 points and eight rebounds, but it wasn't enough as Mount Mercy became the second ranked team to fall to Grand View last week, 87-80, in a Midwest Collegiate Conference men's basketball opener on Saturday at Sisam Arena.

After winning their first eight games to start the season, the 14th-ranked Mustangs (8-2, 0-1 MCC) have lost two straight. The Vikings (6-2, 1-0 MCC), on the other hand, beat a top-25 team for the second time in four days. They knocked off 16th-ranked Morningside on Wednesday in Sioux City.

Underwood was 11-of-17 from the floor and 5-of-6 at the free throw line while collecting three steals. He was joined in double figures by senior forward Sam Kenyi and junior guard Markus Cocroft with 12 points each. Junior forward Dominic Zanella added nine points, senior guard David Campbell eight. Kenyi and Campbell also had five rebounds apiece, and Cocroft dished out six assists.

Kevin Smith's 23 points and 10 rebounds led the Vikings. Kody Ingle had 21 points and six boards, Josh Henry 16 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Mount Mercy looks to get back on track with a pair of home conference games this week. The Mustangs host William Penn on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and Clarke on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at Hennessey Recreation Center.