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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Central Missouri Mules got a career-high 25 points from Kyle Wolf and withstood a Central Oklahoma rally to edge the Bronchos 67-66 in the MIAA Tournament Quarterfinals on Thursday evening at historic Municipal Auditorium. UCM led by as many as 15 in the game before withstanding a last second shot attempt from UCO.

The Mules (24-5) got off to a great start jumping to a 7-1 lead three minutes in to the game. UCM extended the lead to nine at 13-4 with 14:15 to play in the half, but a 7-0 run by Central Oklahoma (20-10) cut the lead to 13-11 with 11:10 to play in the first half.

A Dillon Deck layup pushed the lead back to four, but Jacob Strassle came right back for UCO to make it a two-point game again. A three from Wolf, one of his career-high seven in the game, gave UCM an 18-13 lead with 8:27 remaining. Corbin Byford answered for the Bronchos with a three of his own, but Wolf came right back with another to ignite an 18-6 run for the Mules that gave them a 36-21 lead with 1:36 to play in the opening period. 

The Bronchos used a quick 7-0 run to pull within eight, but Preston Brunz knocked down a three just before the buzzer and UCM led 39-28 at halftime.

TJ White scored on a layup out of the intermission and later added a free throw to give UCM a 42-28 lead with 19:29 to play in the game, but that's when the Bronchos started their comeback. Trai Jordan scored six straight points for UCO to start an 11-0 run and the Mule lead was cut to 42-39 just four and a half minutes later.

White made a pair of free throws to push the lead back to five and Deck scored on a layup to make it seven point margin. Following a Garen Wright tip-in, Deck made two foul shots and Wolf added a free throw line jumper and UCM led 50-41 with 12:49 to play.

The Bronchos kept coming back and were able to cut the lead to three at the 8:45 mark on a Seth Heckart three-pointer. The lead was still three at the 4:40 mark when Wolf drained another three to give UCM some breathing room at 64-58. Heckart made two foul shots for UCO, but Rakeem Dickerson scored on a driving layup and UCM led 66-60 with 3:16 to play.

Philip Brown made two free throws for UCO and Deck made one of two for UCM and it was a 67-62 lead with 2:33 to play. Brown added a jumper with 2:13 to play and Bryson scored with 1:02 on the clock to make it 67-66. The Mules turned the ball over with :26 to play giving the Bronchos the final shot. Mahlon Jones drove to the bucket, but Deck was there to alter the shot and Brunz secured the rebound to give UCM the win.

In addition to his career-high 25, Wolf also added a team-high six rebounds. White finished with 12 points, six boards and six assists. Deck added 15 points, six boards and three blocks off the bench for the Mules, who shot 51 percent in the game, 23-of-45. Deck's three blocks give him 37 on the season, the seventh most in a single-season in school history. Brennen Hughes had one block in the game, giving him 31, the 10th most in a single-season in UCM history.

UCM had 13 assists on 23 made baskets and turned the ball over just seven times. The Mules were 9-of-16 from three-point range, but struggled to the tune of 48 percent, 12-of-25, at the foul line.

Brown, Heckart and Jordan all had 11 points to pace UCO, while Cal Andrews chipped in 10. The Bronchos shot 40 percent from the floor, 21-of-52, but were just 6-of-20 from beyond the arc. UCO was 18-of-27 at the foul line.

With the win, UCM advances to the MIAA Tournament Semifinals on Saturday at 2:15 p.m. The Mules will play the winner of the game between No. 3 seed Missouri Southern and sixth-seeded Nebraska-Kearney.

Saturday's game can be heard live on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and warrensburgradio.com with Greg Hassler on the call. Airtime on the UCM Sports Network will be 1:50 p.m.