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Iowa Wesleyan offense frustrated in home loss
Tigers start slow, never recover in loss to Mount Mercy
MT. PLEASANT — Things just weren’t right from the get-go in Iowa Wesleyan’s home loss to Mount Mercy University.
The Tigers dug themselves in a big hole early and never recovered, falling 87-63 for their second loss of the season.
Iowa Wesleyan’s problems began from the opening tip. It was Mount Mercy that brought the energy over the first five-and-a-half minutes, as the Mustangs burst out to a 17-4 lead.
"We just didn't execute what we've been practicing, and what we have talked about in the last two days of practice,“ said Iowa Wesleyan head coach Alex Huisman. ”We weren't mentally engaged like we needed to be at the beginning of the game.“
The Tigers eventually started punching back at Mount Mercy, even getting eight points from sharpshooter Jett Tjaden and cutting the lead down to single digits, but the Mustangs closed the half out strong and led 44-23 at the half.
Iowa Wesleyan went 8-for-28 shooting the ball in the first half. The Mustangs doubled the Tigers up in assists, winning that battle 8-4.
“We're just not generating the looks that we want,” Huisman said. “A lot of that is us adjusting to this level, and being able to create those shots.”
Freshman Joey Brown got it going in the first half, scoring 10 early points to help the Tigers shed the Mount Mercy lead down to 10, at 61-51, but that is as close as Iowa Wesleyan would get.
Despite the loss, Brown filled the stat sheet. He had 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists to lead the Tigers.
“We want Joey to be aggressive,” Huisman said. “He's one of those guys who can create those opportunities, as he gets more experience.”
Tjaden ended the night with 11 points. Jaylen Washington scored seven. Chris Seymore and Francis Okwuosah scored six each. Kaleb Cresswell and Jared Arenallo both have four.
Alex Dentlinger and Dylan Hurley each scored three points on the day. Kolby Williams and Victor Munoz scored two apiece.
Iowa Wesleyan is now 1-2 on the season. The Tigers will travel to William Woods University on Friday.
Iowa Wesleyan’s Jaylen Washington moves to sidestep a Mount Mercy defender on Tuesday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)
Iowa Wesleyan’s Joey Brown handles the ball during the Tigers’ home loss to Mount Mercy on Tuesday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)
Iowa Wesleyan’s Chris Seymore flies in for a layup attempt on Tuesday night in Mt. Pleasant. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)
Iowa Wesleyan’s Alex Dentlinger takes a three-pointer from the corner on Tuesday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)
