COLUMBIA, Mo. (Nov. 1, 2019) - Central Missouri Mules Basketball jump started their 2019-20 season tonight in an exhibition game against Division I Mizzou. The Mules lead 32-31 at the half but it was the Tigers who came out on top with a 80-56 victory. 

How it Happened:
• The Tigers shot 47.5% from the floor and 78.9% from beyond the arc while the Mules connected on just 39.6% of their field goal attempts and were 12-25 from three. 
• Turnovers played a big factor as UCM lost the ball 27 times while Mizzou only recorded 13 in their first outing of the season. The Tigers totaled half of their 80 points off UCM's turnovers.
• The Mules did have an edge in rebound, recorded 35 boards compared to the Tigers 32. 
• Central Missouri lead four the first four minutes of the game, with Micheal Winger hitting a three to score the first points of the game.
• The Tigers lead 31-27 with 2:30 left to play in the first half. The Mules went on a 5-0 run to lead the Tigers 32-31 at the half. 
• Mizzou's offense stepped up in the second half as they lead UCM by 10 in the first five minutes returning to the court. 
• In the final five minutes, Mizzou outscored the Mules 13-1 as they ended the game with their biggest lead of the game. 

It Was Over When...
• The Mules matched evenly with Mizzou through the entire first half. Once the Tigers gained a 10-point advantage halfway through the second half, their lead only increase from there. 
• Central Missouri was stuck at 52 points for 1:40 of play while the Tigers slowly increase their lead in the remaining five minutes. 

Mules Stat Leaders:
• Senior Matt Wilkinson lead the Mules offense with 14 points and played the team-high of 27 minutes. Wilkinson was 5-8 on the field and 4-5 from the three.
• Mules newcomer and fellow senior Kendal Hampton recorded 10 points and was responsible for all the UCM's three blocks. 
• UCM's 2018-29 assists leader Daniel Farris lead the Mules with five assists. 
• Another newcomer, Dyllan Robinson, lead the Mules defense with eight boards. 

For the Tigers:
• Four Tigers finished with double figures lead by freshman Kobe Brown with 12 points and finished 6-12. 
• Mark Smith lead the Mizzou defense with seven rebounds.

Up Next:
The Mules regular season gets started next weekend as UCM hosts their annual Central Region Tipoff Classic. The season opener is Satuday, Nov. 9 against Southwest Minnesota State followed by Augustana (S.D.) on Sunday, Nov. 10.