BALDWIN CITY, Kan. - The Mount Mercy men's basketball traveled to  Kansas on Saturday in search of an important victory on the road, but  a valiant effort fell short.

The Mustangs suffered a damaging loss to Baker, 85-80, in a Heart of  America Conference game after leading 34-33 at halftime.

Mount Mercy dropped into 10th place in the league standings. Only the  top eight teams in the conference will make the postseason tournament,  and the Mustangs are now two games out of eighth place with four games  left.

Dennis McKinney led Mount Mercy with 23 points. DJ Johnson contributed  16 points and six rebounds. Davion Watson played a strong game with 13  points, 10 rebounds and five assists. RoyShawn Webb scored 12 points  and Bailey Basala had 11.

Brandon Clifford scored 21 points for Baker (13-13, 11-9).

Mount Mercy plays at Culver-Stockton on Wednesday.