Mules Basketball Wins Fourth Straight Game

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Jan. 4, 2018)-- Three Mules scored in double figures as they won their fourth straight game of the season with a 81-66 victory over the Fort Hays State Tigers (10-4, 3-2 MIAA) Thursday night at the Multi. With the win, Central Missouri is now 11-2 overall, 3-1 in MIAA action, and snaps a three-game losing streak to FHSU.

How It Happened
• The Mules shot a season best 54% from the field (27-50) and put up 36 of their 81 points in the paint. They held the Tigers to 66 points on 41.9% shooting (18-43) and forced 20 turnovers, which they converted to 30 points. The Tigers entered the game averaging 84.1 points per game, which was second best in the MIAA.
• UCM used a fast start to the game to control the tempo the whole night. FHSU grabbed a 4-2 lead early, but numerous runs by UCM in the first 10 minutes of play help create separation. UCM's top two leading scorers, Spencer Reaves and Jakob Lowrance, scored 19 and 10, respectively in the first 20 minutes.
• With 17:55 to play in the first half, Blake Spellman nailed a three and Matt Wilkinson followed it up with a layup to give the Mules 7-4 lead. Duane Clark Jr. added a pair of free throws to make it an 8-0 run and give them a 10-4 edge.
• Spellman and Clarence Smith nailed back-to-back triples after two made FHSU free throws, giving UCM its first double digit lead, 16-6. FHSU made a quick three to make it 16-7, but the Mules used another run to get back by double-digits and never let the Tigers get in under that the rest of the game.
• The next UCM run was all Reaves as he put up eight points on a three pointer, a pair of layups, and a free throw in 1:13 to establish a 24-9 UCM lead  with under 11 minutes to play.
• The Mules continued to push the pace in final 10 minutes of the half. With 9:40 to go until halftime, the Tigers trailed 26-12 and managed to score just 13 points before the break. The Mules used a 9-0 run and two 6-0 runs to help score 23 points and lead 49-26 at the break.
• The Mules maintained a their commanding lead the rest of the game, but struggled to score to start the second half. A three pointer by Lowrance out of the break made it 52-25 Mules, but the team scored just eight points over the next six minutes.
• UCM led 60-41 with 12:54 to play after a 9-0 run by FHSU. The Tigers got their deficit to under 20 points, 60-41, with time to mount a comeback, but UCM continued to make shots the rest of the game to hold on for the double-digit win.
• The Mules struggled to make three's in the second frame going 1-8, but went 13-16 at the free throw line (81.3%) to help keep the Tigers from getting back into the game.

It Was Over When..
• The 49 point first half by the Mules, while holding the Tigers to 25, help dictate the second half of the game.The Tigers struggled to keep pace with the Mules all night. A 9-0 run in the middle of the second half, help them get within 19 of the Mules, 60-41, but the Mules continued to make shots down the stretch to keep the Tigers out of striking distance.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Reaves and Lowrance each scored a game-high 19 points on the night. Both went 2-3 from beyond the arc, and took nine total shots on the night. Reaves finished with seven made shots, grabbed a game-best five rebounds, and had four assists. Lowrance made just one more shot with eight and was 3-3 at the free throw line.
• DJ Richardson was the third Mule in double figures with 10 points. He was only 3-7 from the floor, but did not miss single free throw on four attempts. Richardson also grabbed two steals on the night. 
• Smith finished one point shy of 10 with nine. He was 6-8 at the charity strip, grabbed three boards, and had two steals.
• Wilkinson chipped in seven points and had a game-high three steals. 

For the Tigers
• Jared Vitztum was the only player to reach double-digit points points finishing the game with 10. He was a perfect 4-4 from the field 2-2 from three-point range. He also grabbed four rebounds.
• KeShawn Wilson and Aaron Nicholson each chipped in nine points. Wilson also notched two assists and a steal.
• Kyler Kinnamon scored just two points, but grabbed four boards and handed out four assists.
•  Hadley Gillum scored seven and recorded a blocked shot. 

News and Notes
• The Mules have now won four straight games and three straight MIAA games. They are now 5-2 at home this season and winners of their last three home contests. 
• Reaves now has 1,086 career points in a Mules uniform. He needs just 14 more to reach 1,100 and 25 to move up to 18th on the all-time career scoring list in Mules Basketball history.
• Richardson has now scored 10-plus points in 11 consecutive games this season. 
• UCM improves to 13-11 all time vs. FHSU and 2-3 under Doug Karleskint.
• The Mules are now 105-22 against MIAA opponents at the Multi. Under Doug Karleskint, they are 38-26 in conference play overall.

Up Next
• UCM will remain at home to host Nebraska-Kearney, Saturday at 3:30 p.m., following the Jennies game The Lopers sit 6-8 overall and 2-3 in conference play after falling to Southwest Baptist in Bolivar Thursday night.