Kinsey & Wilkinson's 20 Pace Mules to Win

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Nov. 17, 2018) - The University of Central Missouri Mules Basketball team continues their hot start to the 2018-19 season, picking up a 77-65 win over Illinois-Springfield Saturday afternoon at the Multi. Two Mules scored 20 in the win as UCM moves to 4-0 to start the year.

How it Happened
• Central Missouri led for 33:16 in the game and never trailed in the second half.
• The Mules outshot the Prairie Stars 50%-39% and held UIS to just 20% on three-point attempts.
• UCM had a slight edge in rebounding, 36-33, and in the paint, 40-30.
• The Mules defense limited Illinois-Springfield to just 31 second half points, as they outscored the Prairie Stars 41-31 in the final 20 minutes.
• Central Missouri's bench was again a factor scoring 21 points, while UIS got just 14 from non-starters.
• For the second consecutive game, the Mules found themselves in an early hole, down 8-2. Two of the Prairie Stars four three-pointers came in the first 2:07 of the game.
• The UIS lead didn't last too long as before the first media timeout, a 9-0 run made it 11-8 in favor of the Mules.
• It was a one-possession game for much of the first half, until a layup from Kinsey and a three-pointer from Matt Wilkinson pushed the lead out to eight, 26-18, and James Byrd made it 11 with a layup with 4:05 to play in the half.
• It looked like the Mules might run away early, but UIS scored nine straight in 1:12 to cut the lead to two, 31-29, with 2:39 remaining. The Prairie Stars got a basket on their final possession of the half to keep it a two-point game, 36-34, at the half.
• Though the Mules never trailed, UIS came back to tie three times in the second half. The latest was at the 16:25 on a Vince Walker layup making it 44-44.
• Jafar Kinsey then scored the next seven points for the Mules as they regained a six-point lead, 53-47.
• UIS hung with the Mules for a while, but some costly turnovers led to Mules transition layups and with 3:57 left the Mules had their largest lead, 68-55. 
• The lead stayed in double-figures the rest of the way as the Mules walked away with a 77-65 win.

It Was Over When...
• Kinsey made it a nine-point game, 64-55 after going 1-2 at the line. The Prairie Stars turned it over twice on their next two possessions which led to layups for Gaven Pinkley and Daniel Farris and the lead stayed above 10 for the remainder of the game.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Big day for Jafar Kinsey who led all scorers with 21 points. He was 8-13 from the floor and 2-5 from three. He also grabbed four boards and dished out three assists.
• Matt Wilkinson also scored 20, going 6-10 and 2-6 from three. Wilkinson helped on defense with three blocks and two steals.
• Blake Spellman, James Byrd and Gaven Pinkley all scored eight points. Pinkley also pulled down six boards.
• Brandon Emmert came off the bench to secure seven rebounds.

For the Prairie Stars
• Gilwan Nelson scored a team-best 18 points, seven coming at the free throw line. He also had seven rebounds.
• Daniel Soetan had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
• Aundrae Williams added 11 points as well.

News and Notes
• The Mules have scored at least 70 points in all four games this season. 
• Matt Wilkinson's 20 points are a career-high.
• This is the third time in five seasons with UCM Coach Karleskint's clubs have started 4-0 with four games scoring 70 or more points.
• Twice already this season UCM has held opponents to shooting below 30% from three.
• The Mules have shot at least 45% from the floor in all four wins.
• In all four games the Mules have scored more than 40 second half points.

Up Next
• The Mules will make it three games in four days when they play Sioux Falls Monday, Nov. 19. For the first time this year, UCM won't be playing in Warrensburg, but they won't be too far. The game will be a part of the MIAA Showcase and will be held at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.