JOPLIN, Mo. (Feb. 23, 2017) -- Central Missouri shot 55 percent from the field and five Mules finished in double figures as they blew out Missouri Southern 99-66 on Thursday night at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
The Mules (18-8, 12-6 MIAA) out-scored the Lions (17-11, 11-8 MIAA) 41-19 in the final 15:00 of the first half to break a 13-all tie and the game was never in doubt after that as the Mules completed the season sweep of the Lions.
With the game tied at 13-all the Mules hit four straight three pointers to grab a 26-15 lead with 12:05 to play first half. The Lions cut the lead back to nine with a quick score, but the Mules used an 18-5 spurt to open a 44-22 lead with just over five minutes left in the first half. The lead grew to as many as 26 in the first half at 54-28, before the Mules settled for a 54-32 halftime lead.
A 13-4 spurt out of the break gave the Mules a 67-36 lead and the rout was on. The Mules led by as many as 36 in the second half as they snapped a two-game losing skid and with the win, secured a top four seed in the MIAA Tournament and a bye to the tournament quarterfinals next Thursday, March 2 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.
Spencer Reaves led the way for UCM with a game-high 22 points.
Jakob Lowrance had 16 points while
Erick Locke finished with a season-high 15.
DJ Richardson had 12 points and
Kyle Wolf finished with 10 as the Mules shot 34-of-62 from the field. UCM was 12-of-23 from three-point range for 52 percent and 19-of-22 at the free throw line.
CJ Carr and JJ Cratit led four Lions in double figures with 14 points each. Missouri Southern shot 44 percent from the field, 26-of-59. The Lions were just 5-of-25 from beyond the arc for 20 percent and 9-of-14 at the free throw line.
The Mules wrap up the regular season on Saturday afternoon hosting Pittsburg State at 3:30 p.m. It's Senior Day with the Mules' seniors being honored at halftime of the Jennies' game. A UCM win on Saturday or a Nebraska-Kearney loss will give the Mules the No. 2 seed in the MIAA Tournament.Â
