PITTSBURG, Kan. (Feb. 8, 2017) -- Central Missouri shot 54 percent in the second half and pulled away for a 73-58 win at Pittsburg State on Wednesday night. With the win, the Mules move to 16-6 overall and 10-4 in MIAA play.

The Gorillas (4-18, 2-12 MIAA) scored the first points of the game, but the Mules scored 11 straight points to lead by nine with 14:48 to play in the half. Pitt State responded with a 12-2 run of its own to regain the lead at 14-13 at the 10:43 mark.

PSU pushed the lead to four at 17-13, but an 8-0 run gave the Mules a 21-17 lead. Pitt State regained the lead at 24-23, but the Mules finished the half on a 10-4 spurt and led 33-28 at halftime.

UCM pushed the lead to 10 right out of the halftime break only to see Pitt State get back within five with a 5-0 run early in the second half. The Mules responded with a 5-0 spurt of their own and once again led by 10, 50-40, with 11:52 to play. PSU would get no closer than eight the rest of the way as the Mules led by as many as 17 in the game.

The Mules were led by Marquiez Lawrence's fourth double-double of the season, 18 points and 12 rebounds. Spencer Reaves added 13 points, DJ Richardson had 11 and Jakob Lowrance finished with 10.

The Mules were 27-52 from the field, shooting 52 percent. They were 7-19 from three-point range for 37 percent and 12-16 at the free throw line.

The Gorillas were led by Brandon Clifford's 11 points and Christian Edmondson's 10. PSU shot 39 percent from the floor, going 23-58. The Gorillas were just 6-23 from beyond the arc for 26 percent and were 6-9 at the foul line.

The Mules return home on Saturday to host Missouri Southern at 3:30 p.m.