WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Jan. 18, 2018)-- Central Mules Basketball had a slow to start to their MIAA home contest against the Lincoln Blue Tigers, scoring just 21 points in the first half, but a strong second half with 46 points scored, help propel them to a 67-57 win at home Thursday night. With the win, UCM is now 14-3 overall and 6-2 in MIAA action. 

How It Happened
• The Mules struggled to make baskets in the first half, going just 7-28 from the floor for 25.0%, but an 18-28 second half shooting performance help them finish the game at 44.6% (25-56). The Blue Tigers (8-10, 2-7 MIAA) finished the night at 41.7% on 20-48 shooting. The Mules had just one more made triple, 11-10, and took two more free throw attempts, 11-9.
• The start of the game was a struggle as UCM only led once the first 20 minutes of play, but managed to tie the game twice. It took UCM nearly 10 minutes in the first half to reach double-digits when DJ Richardson hit a three to make it one-point UCM deficit, 12-11. Offense continued to struggle for UCM through the remainder of the half as the team scored just 10 points in the final 10 minutes. 
• The Blue Tigers manged to grab an eight-point lead, 27-19, which was their largest of the game with :43 to play until the break, but a pair of free throws by Spencer Reaves in the final seconds help keep the game within reach for the Mules. The Blue Tigers shot 47.6% in the first half, while holding the Mules just 25.0%. The Mules struggled from three-point range in the first 20 minutes going just 2-15 for 13.3%. Despite the scoring struggles, the Mules stayed in the game as they took care of the ball and committed just three first-half turnovers.
• The second half was a complete turnaround for UCM's offense as the team put up 46 points on 18-28 made baskets for 64.3%. After hitting just two triples in the first half, UCM came out hitting nine on 14 attempts. UCM also found love in the paint outscoring Lincoln 16-8 in the second half alone. 
• Down 32-28 early in the second frame, the Mules used a 6-0 run to tie the game at 32-all with 16:23 to play. Jakob Lowrance scored four of the six points on tough layups, while Reaves added a jumper to cap off the run. The run extended to 13-2, as Blake Spellman and DJ Richardson hit back-to-back triples. A made free throw by Daniel Farris gave the Mules a 39-34 lead with just over 13 minutes to play. 
• UCM maintained a slim lead for most of the second half, but did not separate from the Blue Tigers until the 5:58 mark when they established a double-digit lead, 56-45, that they never relinquished. Lincoln look to keep things interesting, but the Mules kept out in front the rest of the way to secure the 10-point home win.
• Both teams committed seven turnovers in the second half, but the Mules had four less than the Blue Tigers, 10-14, for the game. The Mules also got a lot of help from scoring the paint as they outscored Lincoln by 10, 26-16. Matt Wilkinson and Richardson came up big for UCM scoring 12 and 10 in the second half, respectively. Lowrance was not far behind with nine second half points.

It Was Over When...
• With 9:18 to play, the Mules led 44-39 after a made layup by Clarence Smith. They then made their next six shot attempts, including five straight three-pointers, to lead 61-48 with 4:13 to play. The Blue Tigers continued to make shots as well, but never matched the streaking Mules, who led by double figures for the final 5:58 to play in the game.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Richardson led the Mules in scoring for the third consecutive game with 16 points on 6-13 shooting. He matched a career-high in made three's with four on eight attempts. He also pulled down four boards and handed a team-high five assists.
• Wilkinson put up his second double-digit game of the season scoring 14 points. He was 4-7 from the floor with all four made shots coming from beyond the arc. He was second on the team in rebounds with seven and dished out three assists.
• Lowrance chipped in 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to post his fourth double-double of the season and third in the last four games. He finished 5-11 from the floor, handed out two assists, and had a seaosn-high three blocks on the night.
• Reaves and Brandon Emmert each put up six points and three rebounds apiece. 

For the Blue Tigers
• John Burton led the way for Lincoln with 18 points. He shot 5-13 from the floor with all five made shots coming from three-point range. He was 3-3 at the free throw line and had two boards.
• Amariontez Ivory poured in 16 points and 6-12 shooting, while going 4-8 from beyond the arc.
• Calvin Chambers chipped in 10 points and dished out four assists for the Blue Tigers.
• Marquise Williams chipped in five points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead Lincoln and tie the game-high.

News and Notes
• The Mules have now won five straight home games this season and improve to 7-2. Under Doug Karleskint, they are now 42-13 at the Multi.
• With his 11 rebounds tonight, Lowrance eclipsed 300 for his career. He now has 310 in his time with the Mules.
• Richardson has now scored in double-figures in 15 consecutive games. Lowrance has scored in double figures in nine straight games.
• Reaves career-point total now moves to 1,138. He needs seven more points to move up to 15th on the Mules Basketball career scoring list.
• UCM's 46 second-half points are the most they have scored in a second-half this season. The previous best this season was 43, which UCM scored against Marvyille and Missouri Valley. The Mules 21 first half points are also the lowest they have scored in any half this season. Their previous low was 21 against Northwest Missouri back on Dec. 10, 2017.

Up Next
• The Mules remain at the Multi for their next game to take on the Lindenwood Lions on Hall of Fame Saturday, Jan. 20. Tip-off for the Mules get is set for 3:30 p.m. following the Jennies game.