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WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The Central Missouri Mules used a strong second half surge to hold off Pittsburg State for an 80-73 win on Saturday afternoon at the UCM Multipurpose Building. The win improves UCM's record to 10-3 overall and 4-1 in MIAA play.

The Mules jumped out to an early 8-4 lead, but the Gorillas (11-3, 4-2 MIAA) worked their way back to tie the game at 10 with 15:10 to play in the half. The teams battled back and forth throughout the first half with neither team able to build much of a lead.

The Mules took a two point lead at 29-27 with 4:12 left in the half only to see Pittsburg State come right back to tie the game and eventually take a 34-33 lead with just over three minutes to play. A dunk by Alex Dean tied the game at 37 with just over 90 seconds left in the half, but the Gorillas scored five quick points to take their largest lead of the game. PSU went into the half leading 42-39 after Widgett Washington scored with 13 seconds left in the period.

The second half started much the same as the first half with the teams battling back and forth in the early going. After UCM pushed their lead to three, Marky Nolan hit two free throws to pull the Gorillas back to within one.

A jumper by Dominique Long started a 15-7 run for the Mules to give them their biggest lead of the night at 67-58 with 9:29 to play in the game. As they did all night, the Gorillas responded this time with a 9-0 run of their own to tie the game at 67-all with 6:32 to play in regulation.

Washington made one of two free throws then hit a driving layup to put the Mules in front 70-67 with 4:24 to play in the game. After JaVon McGee hit a bucket to bring PSU within one, Long drained a three from the top of the key to put UCM in front 73-69 with 3:43 to play.

Lance Beckwith hit a layup to put Central Missouri in front by six, but Nolan came right back for Pitt State to pull PSU within four at the 2:14 mark. Neither team would hit a bucket over the next 2:10, but the Mules hit four free throws to build an eight point lead at 79-71 with :40 left.

Rico Pierrevilus scored a layup with four seconds left, but it was too little too late and the Mules held on for a big win, 80-73. With the win, the Mules move into a first place with Northwest Missouri atop the MIAA standings at 4-1.

Washington led the Mules with 22 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists. Beckwith had 12 points, six boards and five steals, while Long had 10 points. Reggie Stallings had nine points and nine rebounds as well for UCM.

The Mules shot 29-of-64 from the field for 45 percent and 5-of-14 for 36 percent from beyond the arc. UCM was just 17-of-31 for 55 percent from the foul line.

Kaleb Porter led four Gorillas in double figures with 16 points.Pierrevilus recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while McGee had 12 points and Courtney Ingram chipped in 10.

PSU was 24-of-59 from the floor for 41 percent and 4-of-16 for 25 percent from three point range. PSU was 21-of-29 from the charity stripe for 72 percent.

The Mules out-rebounded Pitt State 42-39 and both teams finished with 40 points in the paint.

UCM is back in action on Wednesday night at Nebraska-Kearney at 7:30 p.m. Airtime on the UCM Sports Network with Shawn Jones and Greg Hassler is set for 7:05 p.m. You can hear the game live on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and www.warrensburgradio.com. 90.9 The Bridge will pick up the broadcast at tip-off.