Box Score

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (Feb. 27, 2016) -- Two made free throws by Missouri Western with just over a minute to play in the game proved to be the difference as the Mules fell 63-62 to the Griffons in the regular season finale on Saturday afternoon at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Mules (14-14, 8-14 MIAA) led 62-59 with 2:24 to play in the game with a chance to extend the lead, but the Griffons (11-17, 9-13 MIAA) held on defense and held UCM scoreless the rest of the way.

The Mules led by seven, 55-48, midway through the second half and had a chance to push the lead to 10, but Bret O'Neil's three-point attempt spun out and the Griffons grabbed the rebound. They came down and scored to spark an 8-0 run that gave them a 56-55 lead with 6:58 to play.

The Mules went back in front on a D'Marnier Cunningham Layup, but the Griffons tied the game making one of two free throws. Spencer Reaves made two free throws with 3:33 to play to put UCM back in front, but the Griffons quickly tied the game. Jakob Lowrance put the Mules back in front with a three-pointer from the top of the key at the 2:24 mark, but the Mules went scoreless the rest of the way.

Missouri Western opened the game fast, jumping out to an 11-4 lead to force a UCM timeout. The Mules got back to within three at 16-13 on a three-pointer from Reaves at the 11:56 mark of the opening half and two free throws from Brad Woodson pulled the Mules within one.

Following a three-pointer from Miles Wentzien, one of his four in the game, Tony Cochran hit a three and was fouled. He made the free throw to tie the game at 19 with 10:24 to play.

The Mules regained the lead at 24-23 on another Cochran three-pointer, but the Griffons scored six straight points to retake the lead at 29-24 with 6:37 to play. UCM got back to within two, but a 9-0 run by the Griffons pushed the lead to 40-29 with 2:48 left in the half.

The Mules closed the half on a 6-0 run and trailed 40-35 at the intermission. The Mules opened the second half on a 20-8 run to grab the seven point lead midway through the frame.

Reaves led Central Missouri with 14 points as the Mules shot 42 percent from the field, 19-of-45, and 10-of-23 from three-point range for 43 percent. The Mules were 14-of-16 at the foul line. Marquiez Lawrence finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season.

Missouri Western shot 45 percent from the field, 22-of-49, and made 9-of-21 from beyond the arc for 43 percent. The Griffs were 10-of-15 from the foul line. Wentzien was the only Griffon in double figures with 16, but seven different players scored at least five points.

The Mules will be the No. 12 seed in the MIAA Tournament and will play at No. 5 seed Central Oklahoma on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in an MIAA Tournament Play-In game. The game can be heard live on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and warrensburgradio.com.