Box Score (XML) | Box Score (HTML) | Season Stats | Photo Gallery (coming soon)

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The Central Missouri Mules overcame a slow start then held off the Emporia State Hornets for a 72-65 win at the UCM Multipurpose Building on Saturday afternoon. With the win, UCM improves to 5-2 overall and 1-1 in MIAA play.

The Hornets (4-4, 0-2 MIAA) raced out to a 13-3 lead just over four minutes into the game. They pushed the lead to 14 at 19-5 with 11:41 to play in the half and still led by that margin midway through the opening stanza. The Mules went to work on a 16-2 run over the next six minutes to tie the game at 26-26 with 4:15 to play in the half.

The Hornets briefly regained the lead on a jumper from Kaleb Wright with 3:58 to play, but the Mules closed the half on an 8-0 run and led 34-28 at intermission.

Central Missouri opened the second half on a 14-4 run to open a 48-32 advantage with 14:24 to play in the game. The Hornets closed the gap to a dozen at the 11:52 mark, but the Mules responded with a quick 7-2 spurt to open up a 61-44 lead with 10:36 remaining in the game.

Emporia State fought back with a 21-3 run and the Hornets took a 65-64 lead with 3:16 to play on a three from Wright. The Mules tied the game on the next possession when Dominique Long made 1-of-2 free throws and went in front for good 67-65 on a layup from Long with 2:30 to play.

UCM made 5-of-9 from the charity stripe in the final 2:02 to seal the win.

The Mules had four players in double figures, led by Widgett Washington's 17 points. Matt Webb had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Reggie Stallings had 13 points in his first start of the season and Charles Hammork finished with 12.

UCM shot 23-of-59 for 39 percent in the game, but were just 3-of-14 from beyond the arc for 21 percent. The Mules were 23-of-37 from the foul line for 62 percent.

Emporia State was led by Wright's 20 points. Paul Bunch had a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds.

The Hornets were 25-of-59 from the field for 42 percent and 7-of-18 from three-point range for 39 percent. ESU was 8-of-13 from the free throw line for 62 percent.

ESU out-rebounded the Mules 40-37, but UCM turned 13 Hornet turnovers into 19 points. The Mules also out-scored Emporia State 30-24 in the paint and 19-10 in bench points.

The Mules are off until next Saturday when they host William Woods at 7:30 p.m. at the UCM Multipurpose Building. The game can be heard live on the UCM Sports Netowrk with Shawn Jones and Greg Hassler on 1450 KOKO and 98.5 The Bar as well as www.warrensburgradio.com. 90.9 The Bridge will pick up the broadcast at game time. The Mules Shootaround Show will start at 7:05 p.m. A pay-per-view student-run webcast is also available from the UCM Media Network via AmericaOneSports.com.