Nine is Fine! Yellowjackets Sting Mount Mercy to Remain Undefeated

LAMONI, IA — The Graceland University Men's Basketball team earned a commanding 93-72 victory against Mount Mercy University in Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) action Wednesday night in its first game following the Thanksgiving holiday. With the win, the Yellowjackets improve to 9-0 overall and 5-0 in conference play, while Mount Mercy drops to 1-8 overall and 0-5 in Heart competition.

Graceland's well-rounded offensive performance was the highlight of the night, as the Yellowjackets shot an impressive 61.4% from the field and 46.7% from beyond the arc. Anchored by balanced scoring and defensive intensity, Graceland controlled the tempo, building a double-digit lead by halftime and maintaining dominance through the second half.

First-Half Offensive Explosion

The Yellowjackets established their rhythm early, shooting 56.7% from the field in the opening 20 minutes. Senior forward Cole Bowen spearheaded the effort, scoring 21 of his game-high 23 points in the first half, shooting 8-of-11 from the field. Graceland entered the break with a 43-36 lead after limiting Mount Mercy to 48.3% shooting in the half.

"We had another really strong second half after making too many simple mistakes in the first half," said Graceland Head Coach Todd Lorenson. "It's encouraging that we can adjust at halftime, but soon we need to have that focus from the tip-off. Our disruption defensively presented issues, but we needed to be more consistent on the ball. Cole was very efficient for us tonight, and our balance around him was tremendous."

Second-Half Domination

Graceland found another gear in the second half, improving their shooting percentage to 66.7%. Guard Carson Busch was instrumental, scoring 12 of his 16 points after halftime, including two three-pointers. The Yellowjackets outscored the Mustangs 50-36 in the second frame, with contributions from several key players, including Carter Brown, who added eight points and six rebounds.

"Our team is incredible. We started a little slow, but we came out in the second half and got the job done," said Bowen. "Mount Mercy played a great game with strong ball movement, patience, and execution in transition, so credit to them. I'm proud of how we responded and executed as a team."

Key Performers

• Graceland Yellowjackets

  • Cole Bowen: 23 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 2 steals
  • Carson Busch: 16 points, 2 assists, 2 steals
  • Darrius Davis: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block

• Mount Mercy Mustangs

  • Jaxson Fried: 22 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
  • Dimitrije Nikolic: 13 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block
  • Kaden Johnson: 12 points, 2 rebounds

Team Statistics

Graceland capitalized on its offensive efficiency and rebounding to maintain control throughout the game. The Yellowjackets held a 29-19 advantage on the boards, including nine offensive rebounds that translated into 10 second-chance points. Mount Mercy struggled to keep pace despite shooting 51.0% from the field, as the Mustangs were limited to just 6-of-14 from three-point range.

• Field Goal Percentage: Graceland 61.4%, Mount Mercy 51.0%
• Three-Point Shooting: Graceland 7-of-15 (46.7%), Mount Mercy 6-of-14 (42.9%)
• Free Throws: Graceland 16-of-19 (84.2%), Mount Mercy 14-of-19 (73.7%)
• Rebounds: Graceland 29, Mount Mercy 19

Up Next

The Yellowjackets will aim to continue their momentum as they travel to Oskaloosa, Iowa, for a Heart matchup against William Penn University this Saturday, December 7. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

For more information on the Graceland Men's Basketball team and Yellowjacket athletics, visit GUjackets.com.