ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (Jan. 13, 2018)-- Central Missouri Mules Basketball extended their winning streak to six after defeating the Missouri Western Griffons, 69-64, on the road Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Mules improve to 13-2 overall and 5-1 in the MIAA.

How It Happened
• The Mules shot an even 50% from the field (23-46), while limiting the Griffons (3-11, 1-6 MIAA) to 39.7% on 25-63 shooting. Both teams had 12 assists, but the Griffons had two less turnovers, 7-9, than the Mules.
• The Mules looked to control the pace of the game early on, leading 10-2 through the first five minutes of action. They led wire-to-wire, but the Griffons kept things interesting most of the game.
• With under 10 minutes to play until the break, UCM led 2013, but MWSU refused to let the game get away. UCM pushed back to a double-digit lead as Spencer Reaves scored six straight to make it a 31-19 game with 4:12.
• The Griffons did respond before halftime, holding the Mules to just two points while scoring six to cut the lead to 33-25.
• MWSU got within three, 33-30, to start the second half. It was close the rest of the game, but UCM never relinquished the lead. They made it a one-point game, 39-38, but the Mules pushed it back to six points with a 5-0 run. UCM pushed its lead to double digits three times in the final 10 minutes
• UCM struggled from beyond the arc going 5-18 (27.8%), but created opportunities to get to the free throw line finishing 18-23 for 78.3%. UCM found rhythm in the paint, outscoring MWSU 26-18.

It Was Over When...
• The Griffons got within of six, 56-50, with 6:27, but back-to-back jumpers by DJ Richardson and Jakob Lowrance made it a 10-point game yet again as the Mules held on for the five point win.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Richardson scored a game-high 17 points on 6-10 shooting. he also pulled down four rebounds.
• Lowrance posted his third double-double of the season scoring 15 points and grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds. 
• Reaves was the second leading scorer for the Mules with 16 points. He went 5-6 from the field, grabbed seven boards, and dished out two assists.
• Blake Spellman was the fourth double-digit scorer chipping in 10 points. He dished out a game-best four assists and went 3-4 shooting, with all three makes coming from three-point range.
• Brandon Emmert added five points and grabbed four rebounds in nine minutes off the bench.

For the Griffons
• TJ Evans and Trey Brown each put up 11 points for MWSU. Both players shot 4-9 from the field and pulled down five boards apiece. Evans also handed out three assists.
• Lavon Hightower added nnine points on four made baskets. He led the team in rebounds with six. 
• Cole Clearman chipped in eight points and tied the team lead with three assists. 

News and Notes
• The Mules six straight wins is their longest of the season. Their previous best was five from Nov. 18- Dec. 5 earlier this season.
• With his 16 points on Saturday, Reaves bumped his career point total to 1,118. That mark now ranks him 17th all-time on the Mules Basketball career scoring list. He needs 10 more points to move up to 16th.
• The Mules improve to 2-0 on the road this season and are now 19-17 under Doug Karleskint.
• UCM now has two wins over MWSU this season and are winners of 12 of the last 13 games since 2011 against the Griffons. 
• Richardson has now scored in double figures in 13 consecutive games.
• Lowrance now has 290 career rebounds and is 10 shy of reaching 300.

Up Next
• The Mules will remain in-state as they head to Maryville to take on the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats on Monday, Jan. 15. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m.