Yamilkoski's Big Game Propels Mustangs to Victory in Season Opener

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Mustang men's basketball team got their season started on the right track, defeating Waldorf in the season opener, 74-55. 

Aidan Yamilkoski led all scorers in Thursday's opener with 19 points on 5-13 shooting. Yamilkoski drained all five of his baskets from three, going 5-11 from beyond the arc. He also delivered a near double-double performance while tacking on eight rebounds. Sterling Blakely was a key contributor off the Mustang bench, adding 14 points on 4-9 shooting, while Cameron Williams was the third Mustang in double figures with 11.

For Waldorf, they were paced on offense by Ugo Ejiofor, who led the Warriors with 17 points on 7-9 shooting. Ejiofor was also a monster on defense in the season opener, adding eight rebounds and three blocks to his stat line. Ejiofor was joined in double figures by Nick Graves who added 12 points and four rebounds.

The Mustang defense was causing havoc for the Warrior offense, forcing 20 turnouvers while recording 11 steals. Yamilkoski led the way on defense with five steals, followed by Williams who added three, as the Mustangs would tally 17 points off of the Waldorf turnovers. 

The key differences between the two teams came from three point shooting as well as shooting from the free throw line, as the Mustangs shot 10-33 from three while Waldorf shot 3-26. The Mustangs also shot well from the charity stripe, shooting 18-22 from the line while Waldorf would go 4-8.

The Mustangs will return to the court on Wednesday against Briar Cliff.