Box Score (WARRENSBURG, Mo.) – The Central Missouri Mules used a 20-1 run midway through the first half to seize control as they beat Missouri Western 64-48 on Saturday afternoon at the UCM Multipurpose Building in front of an MIAA Television Network crowd.
The Mules (10-4, 6-3 MIAA) scored the game's first bucket at the 18:06 mark to take a 2-0 lead, but the Griffons (6-9, 1-8 MIAA) went in front with an 8-1 run. Missouri Western held a 14-7 advantage at the 11:18 mark when Central Missouri went on a 20-1 run to take a 27-15 lead at the 5:23 mark. The Mules extended the lead to as many as 16 in the first half before heading into the intermission with a 35-23 lead.
The Mules were able to extend the lead to 15 in the early part of the second half before the Griffons began to close the gap. Missouri Western used an 8-2 run to pull within nine at 47-38 with 10:34 to play. A quick three from
Boo Hunter put UCM back in front by 12 and the Mules were able to keep the Griffons at bay. The lead dipped to 10 with 5:42 left, but an 8-0 run by the Mules pushed the lead to 18 and all but sealed the win.
Hunter led three Mules in double figures with 14 points.
Widgett Washington had 13 points and
Alex Dean added 10.
Matt Webb had eight points and seven rebounds, while
Dominique Long had seven points and a game-high nine boards.
The Mules shot 39.2 percent from the floor, 20-of-51, and were 5-of-14 from behind the three point line for 35.7 percent. UCM made 19-of-26 foul shots for 73.1 percent.
Lavonte Douglas led the Griffons with 14 points and five rebounds, while TJ Johnson had 10 points. Missouri Western was 18-of-53 from the field for 34 percent and 3-of-15 from beyond the arc for 20 percent. MWSU was 9-of-13 at the foul line, good enough for 69.2 percent.
The Mules held a big advantage on the glass out-rebounding the Griffons 42-27, including 18 offensive boards.
The Mules are back in action on Wednesday night when they travel to Kirksville, Mo. to take on Truman State at 7:30 p.m.
