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Men's Basketball

Mules rally from big first half deficit to beat Southeastern Oklahoma State

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SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The Central Missouri Mules rallied from a 20 point first half deficit to beat Southeastern Oklahoma State 75-66 on Saturday night at Bill Greehey Arena. The win improves the Mules' record to 6-1 on the season.

The Savage Storm (4-3) came out on fire, racing to a 14-4 lead just five minutes into the game. They didn't stop there as they extended the lead to 19 at 26-7 with 8:52 left in the first half. SE Oklahoma State pushed the lead to 20 at 28-8 with 7:36 to play in the opening period.

That's when the Mules stepped up the intensity on defense and began their comeback.  A layup and free throw from Dillon Deck started the run for UCM. A pair of free throws from SEOSU made it 30-12, but Jon Gilliam drained a three to cut the lead to 15 and the Central Missouri offense caught fire.

Ryan Magdziarz hit back to back threes to cut the lead to single digits and Gilliam hit two more threes before halftime to pull UCM within 31-27 at the break. The Mules closed the first half on a 19-3 run.

Central Missouri opened the second half right where the first half ended. A layup from Daylen Robinson and another three from Gilliam tied the game at 32. The Savage Storm scored four quick points to go back in front, but a 9-1 run gave the Mules the lead 41-37 with 14:10 to play in the game.

A jumper from Urald King pulled the Savage Storm within a pair, but six straight points by the Mules pushed the lead to 47-39 at the 12:17 mark. UCM was able to push the lead to nine at 56-47, but an 11-4 run by Southeastern Oklahoma cut the lead to two at 60-58 with 3:39 on the clock.

Central Missouri responded with a three from Gilliam and a jumper from Deck to quickly push the lead back to seven with just two and half minutes to play. A three from Quenton Threadgill cut the lead to four, but the Mules were able to ice the game from the free throw line.

Gilliam led UCM with a career-high 18 points on 6 of 8 shooting, all six were three-pointers. Deck had a career-high 17 points and Magdziara chipped in a career-high 15.

The Mules shot 49 percent, 25 of 51, from the field and made 10 of 21 three-pointers for 48 percent. UCM was 15 of 22 from the free throw line for 68 percent.

King led three Savage Storm players in double figures with a game-high 20 points. Threadgill had 18 and Taylor Smaller chipped in 15.

SEOSU was 23 of 48 from the floor for 48 percent and 8 of 17 from beyond the arc for 47 percent. They were 12 of 18 at the charity stripe for 67 percent.

The Mules had 19 assists and forced 12 Savage Storm turnovers. UCM outscored Southeastern Oklahoma 26-12 in the paint and the Mule bench held a 29-3 advantage in scoring.

The Mules are back in action on Thursday night when they open MIAA play hosting 20th-ranked Fort Hays State at 7:30 p.m. at the UCM Multipurpose Building. The game can be heard live on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and warrensburgradio.com. There will also be a pay-per-view student-run webcast available through the UCM Media Network. The webcast will be carried on AmericaOneSports.com.
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