TIP-OFF• The 16th-ranked Central Missouri Mules continue their three-game home stand hosting Southwest Baptist on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 3:30 p.m. at the Multi.
• Saturday is Senior Day with the Mules' seniors being honored at halftime of the Jennies game.
• The Mules are 21-4 overall this season and 12-4 in MIAA play after a 58-53 win over Lindenwood last Saturday afternoon. UCM comes in on a five-game winning streak.
• Southwest Baptist comes in at 11-14 overall and 6-10 in MIAA play after a 74-61 win over Missouri Southern on Wednesday night in Joplin. SBU has won back-to-back games after losing three in a row.
• UCM's win over Southwest Baptist on Feb. 5 gave the Mules their 18th win of the season. It marked the 12th straight season of at least 18 wins for UCM and set a new MIAA record. The old streak of 11 straight seasons of 18 or more wins was held by Northwest Missouri (1997-2008).
• The Mules were 30-5 a season ago when they captured the NCAA-II National Championship. It was the third 30-win season in program history, the seventh 20-win season in the last 12 years and the 23rd in school history.
• Central Missouri finished 16-3 in MIAA play last year and captured a share of the MIAA regular season championship for the third straight season. It was the sixth conference crown in the last 12 years and 24th in school history.
QUICK HITS• This is the 110th season of Central Missouri Mules basketball.
• Central Missouri is third all-time in NCAA Division II men's basketball with 1,636 wins.
• The win at Lincoln on February 11 gave the Mules their third straight 20-win season and the 24th in program history.
• The Mules are averaging 74.4 points per game and shooting 50.5 percent from the field. The opposition is averaging 66.7 points per game and shooting 43 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from beyond the arc.
• In their 21 wins, the Mules are averaging 75.9 points per game and shooting 52.3 percent from the field, while holding opponents to 65.0 points per game and 41.3 percent shooting.
• In the four losses, UCM scores 66.8 points per contest and shoots 42 percent from the field, while opponents are averaging 75.8 points per outing and 51 percent shooting.
• The Mules have won two NCAA Men's National Championships (1984 & 2014) and four National Championships overall (1937 & 1938 NAIB).
MULE TIDBITS•
TJ White has recorded his first four career double-doubles this season to lead all Mules.
•
Dillon Deck has one double-double this season and seven during his two-year UCM career.
•
Brennen Hughes recorded his first double-double of the season at Southwest Baptist. Hughes scored a team-high 17 points and pulled in 10 rebounds.
• Five Mules have recorded double-doubles this season (Deck, Dickerson, Hughes, White and Wolf).
• Ten different Mules have scored in double figures this season ... nine different Mules have led the team in scoring.
•
Rakeem Dickerson,
Preston Brunz and
TJ White are second, fourth and sixth, respectively, in the MIAA in assist-to-turnover ratio. Dickerson is also second in the league in assists, Brunz is fourth in three-point field goal percentage and White is second in steals.
•
Brennen Hughes (64.7) and
Dillon Deck (60.4) are first and second in the conference in field goal percentage.
SERIES HISTORY• This will be the 63rd all-time meeting between Central Missouri and Southwest Baptist. The Mules lead the series 40-22 after the 67-64 overtime win in Bolivar back on February 5.
• The Mules have won eight straight games in the series dating back to the 2010-11 season.
• UCM has won 10 straight games against the Bearcats at the Multipurpose Building. The last loss at home to SBU was an 84-81 setback in the 2004-05 season.
LAST MEETING WITH SOUTHWEST BAPTIST• The Mules shot 50 percent from the field in the first half and 43 percent for the game en route to a 67-64 overtime win in Bolivar back on Feb. 5.
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Brennen Hughes led the Mules scoring effort with 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.
Preston Brunz was the only other Mule in double-figures he scored 16 points and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
• Trailing in the final seconds,
Jordan Epps hit a game-tying three-pointer with just three seconds left on the clock to force overtime.
• SBU out-rebounded UCM 40-38, but the Mules held a slight edge in points in the paint at 30-26.
• Three Bearcats scored in double-digits led by Derrick Stewart's 19 points. Menas Stephens registered a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS• Southwest Baptist enters the contest at 11-14 overall, 6-10 in MIAA play and winners of two straight games, including a 74-61 win at Missouri Southern on Wednesday night.
• The Bearcats are averaging 67.4 points per game and shooting 43 percent from the field. They shoot 33 percent from three-point range and 69 percent at the free throw line.
• Opponents are averaging 67.8 per contest and shooting 44 percent from the field, 34 percent from beyond the arc.
• SBU is the top rebounding team in the league at nearly 36 rebounds per outing. They out-rebound the opposition by over five boards per game.
• Menas Stephens leads two Bearcats in double figures at 12.1 points per outing, while Daymond Cowlah chips in 10.3 per contest. Stephens also leads the team in rebounding and averages a double-double with 10.4 boards per game.
• SBU does turn the basketball over nearly 15 times per game, while they force almost 13 giveaways per contest.
• Opponents have gotten to the free throw line 25 more times than SBU, but have only made nine more at the line.
LAST TIME OUT • CENTRAL MISSOURI 58, LINDENWOOD 53 • 2/14/15WARRENSBURG, Mo. - A strong defensive effort led 19th-ranked Central Missouri to a 58-53 win over Lindenwood on Saturday afternoon at the UCM Multipurpose Building. The Mules held the Lions to just six made field goals in the first half and to 41 percent shooting for the game.
   The Mules (21-4, 12-4 MIAA) opened the game on a 9-0 run and never trailed en route to their fifth straight win. Lindenwood (16-9, 11-5 MIAA) didn't record their first field goal until the 12:32 mark when they cut the UCM lead to 9-2. A layup from
Dillon Deck and a long three-pointer from
Jordan Epps gave the Mules an 11-point advantage at the 11:01 mark.
   Four quick points by Lindenwood cut the lead to seven, but a 10-3 run by the Mules gave them their largest lead of the game at 24-10 with 3:16 to play in the first half. The Lions scored the final four points of the half and UCM led 24-14 at the intermission.
   UCM held LWU to 6-of-23 shooting in the first half and just 26 percent. The Lions, who entered the game second in the MIAA in three-point field goal percentage, were 0-of-7 from beyond the arc in the first half.
   The teams traded buckets out of halftime with UCM able to push the lead back to 13 at 33-20 with 15:40 to play in the game. A 7-0 spurt by the Lions cut the lead to six at 33-27 with 11:21 on the clock. A jumper from
Brad Woodson stopped UCM's scoring drought and gave the Mules an eight-point lead, but Cory Arentsen hit two free throws and it was back to a six point game.
   The lead was seven at 37-30 when
Rakeem Dickerson scored on back-to-back trips to put UCM back in front by double digits, 41-30, and force a Lindenwood timeout. The Lions cut the lead back to six at 43-37 with 4:43 to play, but
Brennen Hughes and
TJ White had consecutive buckets and the lead was once again 10.
   Lindenwood started to hit some threes and cut the lead to five with :49 to play, but Woodson stepped to the foul line and calmly hit two shots to give the Mules a 51-44 lead with :46 to play. Following a Darris Smith three
Preston Brunz made a pair at the foul line and it was a six point game. Woodson made two more to give UCM a 55-47 lead with :18 left in regulation.
   LJ McIntosh hit a three to make it a five point game before Hughes made one of two free throws to give UCM a six-point cushion. Chanse Creekmur hit a deep three to pull LWU within three, but Dickerson hit two more foul shots to ice the game and give the Mules the win.
   White led UCM with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Brunz and Woodson added 10 each. The Mules were 22-of-50 from the field for 44 percent and made 4-of-15 from three for 27 percent. The Mules were 10-of-13 at the charity stripe for 77 percent.
   The Mules held a 26-16 advantage in points in the paint and 17-3 in bench scoring.
   Lindenwood was led by Smith's 14 points, while Creekmur had 11 and Arentsen finished with 10. The Lions shot 41 percent for the game, 20-of-49, and made 7-of-19 from three-point range for 37 percent. LWU was 6-of-12 at the foul line for 50 percent.
   The win moves UCM into sole possession of first place in the MIAA, a half game ahead of Northwest Missouri and a game in front of Lindenwood.
THE MULES AT HOME• Central Missouri is 166-23 at the Multipurpose Building over the last 13 years and 12-2 under
Doug Karleskint after the win over Lindenwood last Saturday.
• Over the last nine years, UCM is 149-13 at home, including 59-1 against non-conference opponents and 90-12 in MIAA play.
• The Mules are 477-90 in their 39th season playing home games at the Multi.
MULES ON THE ROAD• The Mules are 6-2 on the road this season after the 67-47 win at Lincoln on February 11.
• The Mules are one of only three teams with a winning record on the road during conference play.
• UCM was 8-4 on the road last season, including 7-3 in MIAA play.
MULES IN NEUTRAL SITE GAMES• UCM is 3-0 this year and 53-20 in neutral site games over the last 13 years after the 90-84 overtime win over Quincy on Nov. 25 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
• The Mules were 9-1 in neutral site games last season.
MULES IN MIAA PLAY• The Mules are 12-4 in conference action under
Doug Karleskint after the win over Lindenwood last Saturday.
• Central Missouri is 171-70 in MIAA play over the last 13 seasons.
• UCM has won or shared 24 MIAA regular season championships and five MIAA Tournament titles.
MULES IN NON-CONFERENCE ACTION• The Mules are 9-0 in non-conference games this season and 124-29 over the last 13 seasons after the win over Culver-Stockton on December 15.
• The Mules went 14-2 in non-MIAA games last year.
• Central Missouri is 58-1 in the last 59 non-conference home games at the Multipurpose Building.
CENTRAL REGION RANKINGS• The Mules are ranked No. 3 in the first Central Region rankings that were released by the NCAA on Wednesday afternoon.
• The top eight teams in the final rankings on Sunday, March 8 qualify for the Central Regional tournament March 14, 15 and 17 at a campus site to be determined.
• The NCAA-II Men's Selection Show is set for 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 8 on NCAA.com.
   Central Region   Overall D-II Record   In-Region Record   1. Augustana (S.D.)   21-1   21-1
   2. Minnesota State-Moorhead   23-2   21-2
   3. Central Missouri   18-4   18-4   4. Minnesota State-Mankato   18-6   16-6
   5. Northern State   17-7   17-7
   6. Northwest Missouri State   15-5   15-5
   7. Pittsburg State   15-8   15-8
   8. Ouachita Baptist   15-4   15-4
   9. St. Cloud State   14-9   14-9
   10. Lindenwood   13-9   13-9
A UCM WIN WOULD...• Give the Mules an 22-4 record overall and 13-4 in MIAA play and keep UCM in at least a tie for first place in the league standings.
• Give UCM nine straight wins in the series with SBU and 11 straight wins over the Bearcats at the Multipurpose Building.
A UCM LOSS WOULD...• Drop the Mules to 21-5 overall and give UCM a 12-5 record in MIAA play and possibly drop them out of first place in the league standings with just two games to play.
• Snap UCM's current five-game winning streak and snap the eight-game winning streak against Southwest Baptist.
BLOCK PARTY• Senior
Dillon Deck has 63 blocked shots in his UCM career, fourth most on UCM's career blocks list, while
Brennen Hughes has 42 in his career, the ninth most.
• Deck is 13 blocks shy of tying Kelvin Richardson (1995-96) for third place on UCM's career list, while Hughes is seven away from Darryl Somerset (2005-07) and Matt Webb (2011-13) for seventh on the list.
• Deck blocked 32 shots last season, the eighth most in a single season in Central Missouri history. His 31 blocks this season are tied with Demeterius Drew (1994-95) for the ninth most in a single-season in school history. He is one block shy of eighth most, which he set last year, and three shy of Manny Richardson (2010-11) for the seventh most in a season.
• Hughes has 26 blocked shots this season, four shy of 10th most on the single-season blocks list.
MULES SECURE SPOT IN MIAA TOURNAMENT• With the win over Missouri Southern on February 7, the Mules clinched a spot in the MIAA Postseason Tournament. The Mules have made the MIAA Tournament every year since it's inception, the only school to do so.
• The Mules' magic number to clinch a bye to the quarterfinals in Kansas City is two.
• This year's tournament will begin on Monday, March 2 with seeds Nos. 5-12 playing play-in games at the higher seeded school. The winners of those four games will advance to play at Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium March 5-8 along with the top four teams in the league, who all receive byes to Kansas City. Men's quarterfinal action will tip-off on Thursday, March 5.
KARLESKINT ERA OFF TO A GOOD START•
Doug Karleskint is 21-4 in his first season as the head coach at Central Missouri and 111-38 (.745) overall in his fifth season as a head coach.
• He became the first Mules' head coach to start his first season at UCM 7-0.
• Karleskint became the fourth Mules' head coach to win at least 20 games in his first season.
• He spent the previous five seasons at Arkansas Tech, including the last four as head coach. He compiled a 90-34 (.726) record with the Wonder Boys with four conference championships and four trips to the NCAA-II National Tournament, including a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2012.
MULES IN THE POLLS• The Mules moved up three spots to No. 16 in the latest NABC/Division II Rankings released on Tuesday.
• The Mules have been ranked in 150 polls in the history of the program, the seventh most in NCAA-II history.
• The Mules moved up three spots to No. 17 in this weeks' Division II Media Poll sponsored by D2SIDA. The poll is in its first year of existence and is voted on by a panel of Division II Sports Information Directors.
MULES BASKETBALL HISTORY• In the 110th season of UCM basketball, the Mules have compiled a 1,636-928 (.638) record in 2,564 total games.
• The Mules are the third winningest program by victories in NCAA-II history.
• Central Missouri is one of just three NCAA-II programs with 1,600 all-time wins.
• The Mules have won 20 or more games 24 times in the history of the program, including this season.
• Central Missouri has won 30 or more games in a season three times, including last year.
• UCM has won or shared 24 MIAA regular season championships and five MIAA tournament titles.
THE NEXT LEVEL• In the past 12 years, 21 former UCM players have gone on to play professional basketball.
• Four players are either currently playing professionally or on a professional roster;
Charles Hammork (Kosovo, Ylli Therande), Michael Hicks (Poland, Polpharma-Pakmet), Sanijay Watts (Germany, Dorsten) and Zack Wright (Germany, Brose Basket).
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE IN ATHLETICS• Following the fall sports seasons, Central Missouri has won a combined 202 MIAA regular-season conference championships in 14 league sports to lead all schools.
• Last season, UCM captured seven MIAA regular season titles, the most of any school in one season in league history, and the second time Central Missouri has accomplished the feat.
• Since 1983, the tenure of Athletic Director
Jerry Hughes, UCM has won or shared 146 MIAA championships, more than any other league school.
• Central Missouri has won six national championships since 1980 (men's and women's basketball in 1984, baseball in 1994 and 2003, women's bowling in 2003 and men's basketball in 2014) and eight national championships overall.
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE IN THE CLASSROOM• Central Missouri had 220 student-athletes named to the 2013-14 MIAA Academic Honor Roll with grade point averages of 3.0 or higher.
• 41 UCM student-athletes were named MIAA Scholar Athletes with at least a 3.5 GPA and having earned all-MIAA honors in their respective sport.
• 17 UCM student-athletes were named MIAA Academic Excellence Award winners with a 4.0 GPA.
• UCM had 12 student-athletes earn Academic All-Region awards in their respective sports with seven of those earning CoSIDA Academic All-America honors.
MULES BASKETBALL ON THE AIR• Central Missouri basketball is broadcast live on 98.5 The Bar, 1450 KOKO and online at warrensburgradio.com. Games are broadcast by 1450 KOKO/98.5 The Bar Sports Director, Greg Hassler and Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations,
Mike Knipper.
• The
Doug Karleskint Show, Live from Traditions Restaurant presented by Bob Showers of Ameritas Investment Corp. will air on Monday nights at 6 p.m. on 98.5 The Bar and 1450 KOKO as well as warrensburgradio.com.
LIVE VIDEO STREAMING• Live video coverage for all Central Missouri home and away MIAA games will be available through Stretch Internet on a pay-per-view basis. The cost is $9.95 for a day pass or $89.95 for an all-season pass for UCM basketball. With a day pass, fans can access any MIAA game being broadcast that day. Fans can access webcasts through the GameCentral by Stretch Internet link on the UCM Athletics homepage or through the "Video" links on the Mules Basketball schedule page. Fans can also go directly to
portal.stretchinternet.com/ucmo/
UPCOMING• The Mules play their final home game of the 2014-15 regular season on Wednesday, Feb. 25 against Missouri Western. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Multi.
• UCM wraps up the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 28 at Northwest Missouri. Tip-off in Maryville is set for 3:30 p.m. at Bearcat Arena.
