Mules Fall in MIAA Quarterfinals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 2, 2018) - Central Missouri Mules Basketball had a slow start in their MIAA Quarterfinals game against the fourth-seeded Central Oklahoma Bronchos Friday night at Municipal Auditorium. The Mules scored just 20 points in the first half and ultimately fell 72-68 to be eliminated from the conference tournament.

How It Happened
• UCO (20-9, 12-7 MIAA) got going early on offense scoring 16 points in the first 10 minutes and holding UCM (20-10,11-8 MIAA) to just six points.
• The Bronchos got their first double-digit lead thanks in part to a 11-0 run. They led 20-6 with 8:23 to play in the first half and never looked back.
• Offense was non-factor for the Mules as they went 10 minutes without a made basket. A triple by Spencer Reaves at the 6:51 mark ended the drought.
• Reaves' made shot sparked a 7-0 run for UCM and the team was within seven, 20-13, of the Bronchos with 4:49 to play in the half. 
• The Bronchos outscored the Mules 10-7 to close out the half and led 30-20 at the break. 
• UCM shot just 34.8% in the first frame (8-24), while UCO went 54.5% on 12-22 shooting. UCO had just one more made three than UCM, 4-3. 
• Matt Wilkinson hit a three-pointer and layup to give the Mules their first five points of the second half. They trailed the Bronchos by just five, 30-25, with 17:59 to play.
• The two teams traded shots but the Bronchos managed to keep in front of the Mules by five to seven points the majority of the secnd half.
• A 10-0 UCO run help reestablish a double-digit lead for the Bronchos and the Mules never recovered from it.
• The Bronchos just outscored the Mules in the paint, 20-18, and won the rebound battle 33-24.
• UCM finished the game shooting 42.3% from the floor on 22-52 made baskets. The Bronchos were 22-48 from the floor for 45.8%.

It Was Over When...
• The Bronchos 10-0 scoring run with under 10:00 to play in the game gave them a double-digit lead, 48-33, that they held for a good while. The Mules looked to answer late in the game, but the Bronchos never let them get any closer than four points. 

Mules Stat Leaders
• Reaves led all scorers with 29 points on 10-17 shooting. He was 7-10 alone from three-point range and also grabbed seven rebounds.
• Wilkinson was the only other double figure scorer with 19 points. He shot 6-13 on the night and was 4-7 from beyond the arc.
• Jakob Lowrance chipped nine points and led the team with nine boards.

For the Bronchos
• Corbin Byford notched a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. He shot 5-8 on the night and added two assists.
• Jordan Hemphill was the leading scorer with 20 points on 6-7 shooting.
• Jake Hammond added 15 points and had a game-high six blocks for UCO.
• Marquis Johnson scored 12 points on 3-7 shooting and was a perfect 4-4 at the free throw line.
• Marqueese Grayson chipped in 10 points and grabbed six boards.

News and Notes
• The Mules are now 37-32 all-time in the MIAA Tournament, with a 14-16 mark in the quarterfinals.
• UCM's loss is the team's first neutral site loss of the year. The Mules were 5-0 entering Friday's game.
• The Mules are now 8-9 against the Bronchos and 4-6 against them under Doug Karleskint.