By Matt Bos, NAIA Media Coordinator

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – (Box Score) –No. 9 Mount Mercy wrapped up the first round with a 64-61 victory over California State University Maritime at the 2015 NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship.

The Mustangs improved to 27-4 and earned their second ever win at the championship. They advance to the second round for the first time since 1996 and will play No. 8 Davenport (Mich.) in the late game Friday night.

Kyle Lamaak provided a spark off the bench, pouring in 17 points and grabbing eight rebounds to lead Mount Mercy. Dondre Osborne scored 16 and Alex Houston added 10 to lead the Mustangs.
A 7-0 Mount Mercy run, capped by a Lamaak jumper, turned a one-point deficit into a six-point lead, 18-12. The Mustangs were able to stretch their lead to as many as 10 by the break, 36-26.

Two quick buckets by Mount Mercy at the start of the half pushed the advantage to 14, a lead the Mustangs were able to keep from 6-13 points for most of the final 20 minutes.

Down 14 (55-41), Cal Maritime began a 17-4 run that eclipsed nearly four minutes and brought the Mount Mercy lead down to one, 59-58, with three minutes left.

Baskets by Lamaak and Osborne brought the lead back to five and Mount Mercy made just enough free throws to hold off Cal-Maritime and secure its spot in the second round.

Cal Maritime was led by Roman Delgado with 17 points and both Dominique Barnes and Levi Stranberg scored 11. The Keelahaulers shot 42% for the game but struggled from the arc, making 4-for-24 three-point attempts. They close the season with a 19-10 record.