CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - William Woods men's basketball (5-8, 2-5 Heart) traded punches with Mount Mercy (6-7, 2-4 Heart) for 40 minutes Saturday afternoon, but a tightly contested game swung the host Mustangs' way late as the Owls dropped a 73–72 decision at the Hennessey Rec Center.  

The game was deadlocked at 36–36 at the break and remained within one possession for much of the second half. Neither side led by more than seven points all afternoon, and the contest featured seven ties and 17 lead changes. 

Brock Davis anchored the Owls' effort with a team-high 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting while pulling down 11 rebounds for a double-double. Oshae Barquet added 11 points, and Jacob LaBounty chipped in nine points and seven rebounds while providing key interior defense. 

Mount Mercy answered with balanced scoring and finished at 50 percent shooting, using 36 points in the paint to stay even as the game tightened late. Brayson Laube led the Mustangs with 14 points, while Jaxson Fried and Price each added 13. 

In the closing minutes, both teams exchanged baskets and free throws, but Mount Mercy edged ahead in the final moments to cement the one-point win. 

The Owls are on the road again for an exhibition game at NCAA DII Rockhurst University Tuesday night.