JOPLIN, Mo. (Jan. 10, 2019) - It was a hard fought battle, but the Mules spunk didn't kick in early enough as they fell 65-55 to the Lions of Missouri Southern. UCM falls to 9-5 on the season, and 2-3 in the MIAA. Tonight's game ended a three-game winning streak and was their fourth road game loss of the season.
How it Happened
• It was a slow start for both teams which resulted in a low scoring night overall. The Mules finished at 41.1%, helped out by going 13-29 in the second half while the Tigers shot just 41.8% for the game.
• Both teams were tit for tat down low both making 28 points from the paint.
• The only difference on paper in this matchup was free-throws. The Lions found their way to the line 13 times going 11-13. While the Mules only made 5 appearances at the line going 2-5 from the line.
• While MSSU won the rebounding edge 38-30, the Mules outscored the Lions 7-5 on bench points.
• The Mules wasted no time scoring the first six-points early in the first half. The Lions responded late in the first with a 7-0 run of their own. A low scoring first half gave the Lions the lead into the break 34-25. The opening round saw only one lead change and two ties, while the teams were a combined 22-55 from the field and 6-21 from three.
• With the Lions leading by the largest lead of nine, 26-17, Mules defense stepped it up to get a few big stops. Guards
Daniel Farris and
Jafar Kinsey make their way to the lane keep the Mules around.
Jakob Lowrance's jumper cut the lead to four, 29-25. But the Missouri Southern's 5-0 run ended the half with them on top 34-25.
• The second half started out like the first with the Mules first to score and tried to keep the Lions under control with tough defense. Both teams went on an on and off scoring drought, but the Mules still had some fight.
• That's when UCM cut the lead to one after
Jakob Lowrance found his way to the basket leaving the score 42-41. The Mules chipped away with points from
Michael Winger,
Jafar Kinsey, and
Jakob Lowrance. But it just was not enough to hold the Lions.
• The Mules outshot the Lions 13-29 in the second half, but the Lions free-throw shooting secured the 65-55 victory.
It Was Over When...
• The Lions went on a 7-0, holding the Mules scoreless for over two minutes to lead 65-55 with just 1:05 left to play.
Mules Stat Leaders
•
Jafar Kinsey led the Mules with 18 points and five rebounds on the night.
•
Jakob Lowrance added 13 points in the contest, he also tied the team-high seven rebounds and led the team in blocks with three. They also each grabbed four rebounds and Byrd dished out four assists.
•
Daniel Farris scored nine and tied the team-high of seven rebounds and five assists.
•
James Byrd and
Michael Winger both added five points. Byrd had the one and only steal for the Mules.
For the Lions
• Elyjah Clark scored a game-high tying 20 points and three rebounds.
• Kinzer Lambert recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 boards.
• Reggie Tharp contributed 12 points, six assists, and four steals for the Lions.
News and Notes
• After this loss, the Mules fall to 0-4 on the road.
•
Jakob Lowrance's 13 points in tonight's match, makes him five points away from 1,000 career points as a Mule.
• In series between the Lions and the Mules the Lions now lead meetings in Joplin, Mo. 13-17. But the Mules still lead the all-time series 38-28.
• The Mules were scoreless in the final three minutes of the game.
• Tonight's game was
Jafar Kinsey's second highest score game since returning from injury back in December.
Jakob Lowrance also recorded the most blocks in tonight's game since he returned from injury a week ago.
Up Next
• The Mules head to Pittsburg, Kan to take on Pitt State Saturday, Jan. 12 at 3:30 p.m.
