KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Nov. 26, 2019) - Central Missouri Mules Basketball picked up their second win against Midwestern State (TX), competing in the MIAA's third annual Thanksgiving Challenge. The Mules came back from a 19-point deficit at the half to defeat the Mustangs 72-67. 

How it Happened: 
• Central Missouri and Midwestern State battled back and fourth through the opening 10 minutes of the first half. 
• The Mustangs ended the first half on a 12-0 run against the Mules to lead 50-31 into the second half. 
• Midwestern State went 14-28 from the field and finished 8-13 from the three point range in the first half while the Mules shot 44.4% inside the arc and went 3-12 from the three.
• With 12:16 left to play in the second half the Mustangs lead 56-45. A jump shot from outside the paint by Garrett Luinstra began an Mules 14-0 run which was finally ended by a Mustang jumper at 7:15, Mules lead 59-58. 
• In the second half, the Mules shot 48% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc while Midwestern state hit 6-25 from the field and went 0-12 from the three-point range. 
• Central Missouri outscored the Mustangs in the second half 41-17. 

It Was Over When...
With 2:36 left in the game, the Mules and the Mustangs were tied 63-63. Central Missouri made multiple trips to the line in the final two minutes to end the final minutes on a 6-0 run and defeat Midwestern State 72-67. Six of the Mules final eight points were made free throws. 

Leading the Mules:
• For the third time this season Gaven Pinkley led the Mules scoring offense. The sophomore was 6-11 from the field, 2-6 from the three and 4-6 from the line to total 18 points against the Mustangs. 
• Senior guard Kendale Hampton finished with 13 points on the night and lead the Mule defense with eight rebounds. Hampton also tied his season-high of three steals. 
• Matt Wilkinson shot 50% form the field, 33.3% from the three and 66.7% from the free throw line to total 12 points against the Mustangs. 
• Daniel Farris finished with the team-high of five assists. 

For the Mustangs:
• Darius Thompson led Midwestern State's offense and defense with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Thompson hit 8-15 from the field and knocked down two from outside the arc while also recording the team-high of two blocked shots. 
• D'monta Harris and Reggie Rivera each totaled 11 points against the Mules. 
• Jalin Brown recorded the team-high of five assists.

News & Notes: 
• Midwestern State dominated the Mules in the rebounding battle. The Mustangs brought down 40 rebounds compared to UCM's 28 and capitalized on their 14 offensive boards with 14 second chance points. 
• The Mules are now 1-1 competing in the MIAA Thanksgiving Challenge. 
• Central Missouri also gains a 5-4 lead in the all-time series against the Mustangs. 

Up Next: 
Mules Basketball returns to the Multipurpose Building on Saturday, Nov. 30 to take on the Saints of Central Christian. Tip off is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Warrensburg, Mo.