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MANKATO, Minn. -- The 20th-ranked Central Missouri Mules overcame a poor shooting performance with a sound defensive effort in a 56-44 win over Arkansas Tech in the Central Regional quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon at Taylor Center.

The Mules held ATU to 30 percent shooting from the field and just 18 second half points as they pulled away late to advance to the regional semifinals on Sunday night.

The Mules (25-5) jumped out to an early 9-0 lead just over four minutes into the game. The Mules made six of their first 12 shots from the field and opened up a 19-8 lead with 10:05 to play in the half.

UCM went cold from the field from there and Arkansas Tech (21-10) started to crawl back into the game. Four quick points cut the UCM lead to four. Dillon Deck made a layup to push the lead back to nine at 21-12, but a three from Nick Wayman and a layup from Charles Mells cut the lead to four with 8:16 to play in the half.

A pair of Brennen Hughes free throws pushed the Mule lead back to six. The lead was still six at 25-19 with 3:41 to play in the opening period, but the Wonder Boys closed the half on a 7-1 run to tie the game at 26-all at the intermission.

The Mules scored the first four points of the second half as both teams continued to struggle from the field. The Mules led 34-32 with 13:20 to play in the game when Jordan Epps scored a traditional three-point play and Charles Hammork had a steal and dunk to push UCM in front by seven at 39-32 with 11:33 on the clock. Hammork got a hoop and foul on the next possession to put the Mules in front by 10. Ryan Magdziarz drilled a three on the next trip down the floor and UCM led 45-32 with 10:01 to play in the game. 

The Wonder Boys battled back going on a mini 7-0 run of their own to pull within six, 45-39, with 7:34 to play in regulation. UCM responded with a three from Epps and another steal and dunk from Hammork and the lead was back to 11 with 6:56 remaining.

Wayman buried a three at the 6:08 mark to cut the lead to eight, but the Mules scored six straight points to push the lead to 14 and ice the game.

Hammork led all scorers with 17 points to go along with seven rebounds and three steals. Jon Gilliam finished with 10 points, while Deck added nine points and a game-high nine boards.

The Mules shot 34 percent from the field, 21 of 61, and just 5 of 20 from three-point range for 25 percent. UCM was 9 of 13 at the foul line for 69 percent.

Wayman led ATU with 12 points as the Wonder Boys shot just 30 percent from the field, 16 of 54. Arkansas Tech was 3 of 22 from beyond the arc for 14 percent and 9 of 11 at the charity stripe for 82 percent.

The Mules forced 17 ATU turnovers and turned those into 21 points. UCM had nine steals in the game.

With the win, Central Missouri advances to the NCAA Central Region Semifinals on Sunday night at 5 p.m. UCM will play conference rival Missouri Southern, who beat Fort Hays State earlier in the day.

The game can be heard live on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and warrensburgradio.com with Bill Turnage on the call. A free webcast is also available on the tournament webpage at www.msumavericks.com.