WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Jan. 16, 2016) -- Central Missouri shot 72 percent in the second half and 62 percent for the game en route to an 81-68 win over Missouri Western on Monday evening at the UCM Multipurpose Building. The Mules held the Griffons to 37 percent shooting in the second half and 41 percent for the game.
The Griffons (5-11, 2-6 MIAA) got out to a quick start claiming an early six point lead at 9-3. They extended that lead to nine at 14-5 just under six minutes in to the game. An 8-2 spurt by the Mules (10-5, 4-3 MIAA) pulled them within three at 16-13 with 11:20 to go in the half, but the Griffons pushed back. Missouri Western went on a 6-0 spurt of its own to lead 22-13 with 10:12 left in the half.
Each time the Mules would crawl back to within four or five the Griffons had an answer. A jumper from
Erick Locke and a three-pointer by
Jakob Lowrance pulled UCM within a pair at 29-27, but Aaron Emmanuel converted a three-point play to push the lead back to five at 32-27. The Mules closed the half on 9-1 run, however, and led 36-33 at the intermission.
The Griffons tied the game right out of halftime on a three-pointer by Cole Clearman, but a 7-0 run by UCM gave the Mules a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Missouri Western pulled back to within five at 43-38, but
Spencer Reaves hit a three-pointer to spark a 14-6 spurt that gave the Mules a 57-44 lead with 11:56 to play. Clearman and Emmanuel hit back-to-back threes to pull MWSU back within seven with 10:15 to play and the Griffons later got to within six at 60-54, but an 8-0 run put the Mules up 14 at 68-54, and essentially iced the game. The lead never dipped below 11 the rest of the way as the Mules swept the season series with the Griffons.
Lowrance led the Mules with 19 points off the bench.
DJ Richardson had 16 points, making his first start of the season, and
Marquiez Lawrence recorded his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds. He also added three blocks. All 10 Mules to play in the game scored.
UCM was 24-of-39 from the field, including 9-of-14 from beyond the arc for 69 percent from three. UCM was also 24-of-30 at the free throw line. The Mules out-rebounded the Griffons 29-24 and held a 33-11 advantage in bench scoring.
Clearman led Missouri Western with a game-high 20 points. Emmanuel added 16 and Seth Bonifas scored 10. The Griffons were 24-of-58 from the field for 41 percent, and were 11-of-27 from three-point range.
The Mules return to action on Wednesday night when they travel to Jefferson City to take on Lincoln. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Jason Gym on the Lincoln campus.
