WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Dec. 5, 2017)-- Spencer Reaves scored a game-high 25 points and eclipsed 1,000 career points as he led Mules Basketball to a 67-50 win over NAIA opponent, Baker University on Tuesday night at the Multipurpose Building. With the win the Mules improve to 7-1 on season.

How It Happened
• Central Missouri shot 41.8% percent from the floor and nailed 11 triples on 25 attempts, while limiting the Wildcats to just 3-of-16 from beyond the arc and 18-of-45 shooting from the floor overall. The Mules also forced 25 Wildcats turnovers which they converted to 21 points.
• Reaves scored 10 of his 25 points in the first half while DJ Richardson and Jakob Lowrance each chipped in seven in the first 20 minutes of action. The Wildcats scored the first two points of the game, but trailed the majority of the first half. With 11:45 to play in the first, Baker kept within one of UCM 13-12, but a 10-0 run help give UCM its first double-digit lead of the game.
• Part of the Mules 10-0 run included a three by Reaves and a pair of free throws from Lowrance and Richardson, respectively. In his first career game as a Mule, Philip Winston scored his first career points off a steal he made which led to flush two-handed dunk in transition. His dunk finished off the 10-0 run to bring the score to 23-12, Mules, with 8:34 remaining in the half.
• Baker trailed by as much as 13 in the first half, but did not let the game get out of reach by halftime. Trailing 27-14, the Wildcats went on a 14-0 run to retake the lead over the Mules. Layups from Jesus Izquierdo and Brett Elifritz got the run started, while a jumper and three pointer both by Clae Martin got Baker within four with 4:03 to play in the half. 
• The Mules retook the lead, 29-28, off a pair of made free throws by Reaves and pushed it to 31-28 off a fast break layup by Winston. Despite leading by just three going into the break, UCM managed to force 13 first half turnovers and converted it for 11 points. The Wildcats also had 10 team fouls to the Mules four. 
• UCM came out fast on offense to start the second half and used a 18-3 run to re-establish their double-digit lead, 49-31. The Mules first nine points of the run all came on three point attempts from Reaves, Clarence Smith, and Richardson in that order. Blake Spellman played a key role as he assisted on five of the Mules made shots in their run and chipped in four of their 18 points. The Mules 18 point lead was their largest of the night.
• Baker kept things interesting with a 7-0 run to cut their deficit to under 10 one last time, 54-45, with 3:45 left to play. It was not enough though as the Mules scored 13 points in the final three minutes while limiting the Wildcats to five to secure the 17 point win at home. The Mules forced 12 second half turnovers and made six more triples than the Wildcats, 7-1, to pick up win No. 2 at the Multi this season.

It Was Over When...
• The Wildcats managed to trail by just 10, 55-45, after Matt Wilkinson went 1-for-2 at the free throw line with 3:21 left on the clock. It did not last long as a three pointer by Spellman and back-to-back layups by Richardson pushed the Mules lead back to 17, 62-45, with under two minutes to play. The Wildcats managed just five points in that span off three made free throws and one layup in final two minutes of the game. 

Mules Stat Leaders
• Reaves scored 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the floor including five made three pointers. He tied the team lead in rebounds with six and dished out four assists, which also tied the game-high.
• Richardson had another solid game for UCM with 17 points. He shot 6-of-11 from the floor and had three made triples. He tallied a game-best three steals, grabbed four rebounds, and was a perfect 2-for-2 at the free throw line. 
• Spellman was the final double-figure scorer for the Mules with 10 points, seven of which that came in the second half. He also tied the game-high in assists with four and had two steals. 
• Lowrance chipped in seven points in 28 minutes of action and tied the team lead in rebounds with six. He also had a game-high two blocks and was 5-of-7 at the charity strip.

For the Wildcats
• Vandy Hopson was the only Baker player to score in double-figures finishing the night with 11 points. He was 3-of-7 shooting and had five made free throws on six attempts.
• Brock Mick scored seven points and grabbed five rebounds on the night. He also handed out two assists and had two steals for the Wildcats.
• Martin and Tyree Peter also scored 11 points each. Peter pulled down four boards and had a blocked shot in 24 minutes of game time. 
• Elifritz led Baker in rebounds with six while adding four points on the night. 

News and Notes
• With his 25 points Tuesday night, Reaves eclipsed 1,000 career points in a UCM uniform. He is 20th player in Mules Basketball history to reach 1,000 points and his 1,011 ranks 20th on the all-time scoring list. He needs just three points to move up to 19th all-time in UCM history. 
• UCM moves to 70-2 in its last 72 non-conference games at the home and is now 173-23 over the last 13 seasons. The win over Baker is also the 501st win in the 42 seasons of Mules Basketball at the Multipurpose Building.
• The Mules improve to 36-12 at home under Doug Karleskint. 
• UCM's 17 point win over Baker is their sixth double-digit of the season. 
• The Mules still have yet to allow more the 63 points in all seven of their wins this season. This also the first win for the Mules this season where they did not score 70-plus points. 

Up Next
• The Mules will open up conference play this Sunday, Dec. 10, as they host MIAA foe and No. 1-ranked Northwest Missouri State. Tip-off against the Bearcats is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. after the conclusion of the Jennies game at the Multi.