WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Dec. 13, 2016) -- The Mules shot 70 percent from the field in the second half and outscored MidAmerica Nazarene 49-31 in the frame to pull away for an 86-59 win on Tuesday night at the UCM Multipurpose Building. The Mules are now 6-2 on the season.
The teams went back and forth the early minutes of the game with neither team leading by more than three points. An 11-1 run by Central Missouri put the Mules in front 17-6 with 10:25 to play in the opening period, but the Pioneers (5-5) used an 8-3 spurt of their own to pull within 20-14 at the 9:30 mark.
The Mules pushed the lead back to 10 only to see MidAmerica rally to within five at 28-23 with 4:47 left in the half. The Mules again pushed the lead to 10, but the Pioneers pulled back to within seven late in the stanza.
DJ Richardson scored on a layup near the end of the first half to give UCM a 37-28 lead at the intermission.
The Mules quickly pushed the lead back to double digits out of the halftime break.
Spencer Reaves hit a three-pointer to open the scoring and then hit a foul shot to complete a four-point play, putting UCM in front by 13. The Mules pushed the lead to 17 at 47-30 at the 17:05 mark, but the Pioneers fought back to within 12 at 53-41 with an 11-6 spurt. The Mules kept on scoring, however, as
Matt Wilkinson buried four three-pointers en route to going 5-for-5 from the field in the game. The lead grew to as many as 29 in the second half as UCM cruised to the win.
The Mules shot 60 percent for the game, going 28-of-47 from the floor, including 9-of-14 from beyond the arc for 64 percent. UCM was 21-of-26 at the free throw line. Reaves led UCM with 20 points, his fourth 20-point game of the season. He also had a game-high six rebounds.
Wilkinson and
Marquiez Lawrence each finished with 14 points and
Kyle Wolf chipped in 10. It was the first double-figure scoring night of Wilkinson's career.
Justin Randall led MidAmerica with 19 points as MNU was 22-of-48 for 46 percent shooting. He was joined in double figures by David Nelson, who had 14.
The Mules out-rebounded the Pioneers 30-21 and forced 21 MNU turnovers which translated in to 27 points.
The Mules return to action on Saturday afternoon as MIAA play resumes. UCM welcomes Southwest Baptist to the Multi for a 3:30 p.m. game.
