LA CROSSE, Wis. (Interstat) — Mount Mercy will visit Viterbo for a men’s NAIA basketball game on Wednesday at R.W. Beggs, Sr. Gymnasium. Both teams are seeking their first victory of the season. Mount Mercy, nicknamed the Mustangs, enters with an 0-2 record. Viterbo, nicknamed the V-Hawks, enters at 0-1.

Viterbo will look to Braden Crubel as a player to watch. In his most recent performance against Clarke, Crubel finished with 34 minutes, 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in an 83-88 loss. Treyton Fletcher added 10 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes, while Carson Koepnick contributed 17 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in 23 minutes. Those efforts came in Viterbo’s most recent result, an 88-83 home loss to Clarke.

Mount Mercy’s most recent result was a 108-77 home loss to Morningside. Aidan Yamilkoski, Johnnie Jones and Jaxson Fried were among the Mustangs’ most productive players in that game. Mount Mercy also dropped a 90-87 home decision to Briar Cliff earlier this season. The Mustangs will be looking for more balanced production and a stronger defensive effort as they continue the early portion of their schedule.

The matchup features two teams still searching for consistency. Viterbo has shown the ability to generate offense through Crubel, who posted a strong all-around line in the V-Hawks’ opener. Mount Mercy has faced a challenging start, with its two defeats coming at home. The Mustangs’ visit to La Crosse offers a chance to reset and compete against another team seeking its first win.

Viterbo’s home court and Crubel’s recent form are central elements in the contest. Mount Mercy will need contributions across its rotation to counter Viterbo’s top option. The V-Hawks will aim to build on the production they received from Crubel, Fletcher and Koepnick in their most recent game, while the Mustangs will seek to improve after their latest result. Both teams have upcoming schedules that will test their depth, with Mount Mercy set to face MidAmerica Nazarene, Grand View, William Woods, Graceland, Culver-Stockton, William Penn, Peru State, Park, St. Ambrose and Graceland. Viterbo’s upcoming opponents include Northwestern (Iowa), St. Ambrose, Governors State, Waldorf, Olivet Nazarene, Calumet, Holy Cross (Ind.), Indiana-South Bend, St. Francis (Ill.) and Governors State. Both programs are working through the opening stretch of their schedules and will use the matchup as an opportunity to establish rhythm on both ends of the floor.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Mount Mercy 77, Viterbo 69.