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KEARNEY, Neb. -- Five Mules scored in double figures to lead Central Missouri to a 78-64 win over Nebraska-Kearney on Wednesday night at the Health & Sports Center. With the win, UCM improves to 11-3 overall and 5-1 in the MIAA.

The Mules (11-3, 5-1 MIAA) jumped out to an early 8-4 lead behind a pair of threes from Reggie Stallings and a jumper from Dominique Long. The Lopers (4-11, 1-6 MIAA) responded with an 8-3 run to grab a 12-11 lead at the first media timeout. A jumper from Mike Dentlinger pushed the UNK lead to 14-11 at the 14:12 mark of the first half, but a 6-0 run by UCM gave the Mules a 17-14 lead.

The Lopers cut the lead to one, but treys from Ryan Magdziarz and Long gave the Mules a 23-16 advantage with just over eight minutes to play in the half. UNK came right back with a 9-2 run to tie the game at 25 just before the final media timeout of the half. The game was tied at 27 with inside of four minutes to play when Charles Hammork took over, scoring nine of the final 14 points on the frame and UCM closed the half on a 12-2 run to lead 39-29 at the break.

The Lopers cut the UCM lead to five coming out of the break only to see the Mules push the lead back to seven on a pair of Long free throws. A quick 5-2 spurt by UNK cut the Mule lead to 46-42 at the 15:51 mark, but that's when the Mules would turn up the pressure. UCM went on a 17-5 run, holding the Lopers without a field goal for nearly seven minutes, to build a 63-47 lead with under 10 minutes to play in the game.

Nebraska-Kearney used a 9-2 run to pull within nine points with six and half to play in regulation. A three by Magdziarz pushed the lead back to 12 at 68-56, but four quick points from UNK cut the lead to eight with under five to play. A layup from Widgett Washington pushed the lead back to 10 only to see the Lopers cut the lead to eight again with 2:17 to play, but they would get no closer as UCM scored the final six points of the game to secure the win.

Hammork led Central Missouri with 15 points and a career-high nine rebounds. Long and Washington had 13 points each, while Stallings and Magdziarz each chipped in 12. Washington also added seven assists.

The Mules shot 51 percent from the field, 27-of-53, including 11-of-27 from beyond the arc for 41 percent. UCM was 13-of-16 from the foul line for 81 percent.

Pierre Newton led UNK with a game-high 16 points. Dentlinger had 15 points and Tyler Shields added a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Lopers were 24-of-59 from the floor for 41 percent, but just 2-of-13 from three point range for 15 percent. Kearney was 14-of-17 from the charity stripe for 82 percent.

The Lopers out-rebounded UCM 37-27 and held a 15-8 advantage in second chance points, but the Mules forced 18 UNK turnovers and turned those into 18 points. UCM's bench also out-scored UNK's 36-6.

The UCM win coupled with a Northwest Missouri loss to Lincoln puts the Mules alone in first place in the MIAA standings at 5-1.

The Mules are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Kirksville, Mo. to take on Truman State at 3:00 p.m. Airtime on the UCM Sports Network with Shawn Jones and Greg Hassler is set for 2:35 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.