Second Half Surge Powers Mules to Road Win

TOPEKA, Kan. (Jan. 27, 2018)-- Central Missouri Mules Basketball scored 44 second-half points to mount a comeback on the road against the top team in the MIAA in the Washburn Ichabods, 63-55, on Saturday afternoon in Lee Arena. Four Mules scored in double figures as they improved to 16-4 overall, and 8-3 in the MIAA.

How It Happened
• UCM trailed by as much as 14 in the game against Washburn (15-5, 9-2 MIAA) and never led by more than eight in the game. Despite shooting just 38.9% (7-18) in the first half, the Mules found rhythm in the second shooting 54.2% (13-24) to finish the game at 47.6% (20-42).
• The Ichabods never shot over 50% in either half, but a cold second half of 31.6% shooting (6-19) kept them from maintaining a double figure lead at home against the Mules. They finished the game shooting 19-50 from the floor for 28.0%.
• Washburn used an 11-0 run early in the first half and held the Mules to just six points to lead them 15-9 with 11:49 to play. The Ichabods made 13 shots in the first frame on 31 attempts (41.9%) to lead the Mules 32-19 going into the locker room.
• Although shots did not fall in the first 20 minutes of action, UCM never let the Ichabods lead by 10-plus points until the final 4:45 of the first half. Both teams struggled from three-point range making just two triples apiece. The Mules went 2-12 (16.37), while the Ichabods were just 2-10 (20.0%). 
• Coming out of the break, the Mules used a 9-0 run to cut the Ichabods lead to four, 32-28, with 16:38 to play. The tides turned in favor of the Mules from then on as they outscored Washburn 23-6 in the first 10 minutes of the second half to lead 42-38 at the midway point. 
• The final 10 minutes of action was a battle to the very end, but UCM's quick pace out of halftime proved to be a difference maker. Jakob Lowrance poured in 16 second half points to lead the Mules. He had help as Spencer Reaves and Matt Wilkinson scored nine and eight, respectively, to help mount the comeback.
• Washburn did out-rebound UCM 30-28 and both teams finished with 18 total turnovers. In the second half, the Mules limited their turnovers and had just five after giving up 13 in the first half. The battle in the paint was tightly contested, but UCM won, 30-28.
• Free throws played a role in the second frame as the two teams combined 37 attempts. UCM went 15-17, while Washburn managed to finish 11-20 in the second half.

It Was Over When...
• The Mules never led by more than eight in the second half and it came down to free throws in the final two minutes to help them seal the road win. Their last made shot from the field came at the 3:13 mark, but the Mules went 9-10 from the free throw line in the final 1:51 to hold off the Ichabods. Wilkinson was calm and collective for UCM going 6-6 in that stretch.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Lowrance's strong second half of 16 points helped him finish with 20 for the game. He shot a blistering 81.8% on 9-11 shooting. He was one rebound shy of a double-double with nine.
• Reaves scored 15 points on 5-12 shooting. He had three made triples and grabbed seven boards.
• Wilkinson chipped in 11 points and was a difference maker at the free throw line going 9-10 for the game. He also pulled down four rebounds and handed out three assists. 
• DJ Richardson put up 10 points for UCM on 3-7 shooting, while going 4-6 at the free throw line. He also finished with a game-high two steals and dished out two assists. 

For the Ichabods
• Tyas Martin led the way for Washburn scoring 13 points. He was 6-7 from the floor and had three assists. 
• Brady Skeens chipped in 10 points while going 4-6 from the floor. He posted a double-double with 14 rebounds to go with his 10 points and had a game-high three blocks.
• Cameron Wiggins scored nine points, while Javion Blake added eight points and grabbed five boards. 

News and Notes
• The Mules are now 9-0 when they hold an opponent to 60 points or less in a game and 4-0 when doing it against MIAA opponents. In games decided by eight points or less this season the Mules are 5-0.
• UCM is now 51-48 against Washburn all-time, winners of the last two matchups, and now 3-2 under Doug Karleskint.
• The Mules are now 43-28 in MIAA play under Doug Karleskint.
• Lowrance has now scored in double figures in 12 consecutive games for the Mules and it is his eighth 20 point game of the season, which leads the Mules.
• UCM's 19 first half points are the lowest they've scored in any half this season. Their previous low was 21 against Lincoln earlier this season. They were two points shy of matching the season-high of second half points of 46. A feat they also accomplished against Lincoln this season. 
• Reaves 15 points puts his career total at 1,188, which is 14th most on the Mules all-time career scoring list. He needs 12 more points to reach 1,200 and 23 more points to move up to 13th on the list.

Up Next
• The Mules will return home Thursday, Feb. 1, to take on another top-five MIAA team. They will host the Central Oklahoma Bronchos who are 14-6 overall and 7-4 in league play after falling to Missouri Southern on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. in the Multi.