WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Nov. 9, 2019) - Central Missouri Mules Basketball suffered a close, 62-58 loss to Southwest Minnesota State in their home season opener.
How it Happened:
• Central Missouri came out hot in the first half, outscoring the Mustangs 10-0 in the first three minutes and 15 seconds.
• The Mules lead the Mustangs for 26 minutes straight before a SMSU made jump shot at the 13:22 mark in the second half gave the Mustangs a one-point advantage.
• Southwest Minnesota State shot 38.5% from the field and beyond the arc while the Mules connected on 37% of their field goal attempts and finished 9-26 at the three-point range.
• The Mustangs crushed UCM on the boards, collecting 17 offensive rebounds and 27 defensive to total 44. The Mules brought down seven offensive boards and 20 defensive to finish with 27 total rebounds.
• A made three by Nick Dufault at 13:22 in the second half gained SMSU their first lead of the game. The Mustangs would go on the lead the remaining 6:28.
• Missed free-throws by SMSU kept the game close. The Mustangs finished 17-33 at the line while the Mules went 9-11.
It Was Over When...
• After two made free throws by
Kendale Hampton with three minutes left to play, the Mustangs went on a 7-0 run to increase their lead to 61-55 with only 17 seconds left in the game.
Mules Stat Leaders:
• Hampton lead the Mules offense with 23 points. The senior transfer finished 8-15 in the field and was .500 from the three-point range. Hampton also recorded the team-high of five boards, two offensive and three defensive.
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Gaven Pinkley also went 3-6 from beyond the arc and finished 4-9 while two free throws to total 13 points for the Mules. Pinkley also collected four boards.
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Daniel Farris scored eight points for UCM while leading the team with four assists. The junior guard was also responsible for three of the Mules nine steals.
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Dyllan Robinson lead the Mules with two blocks while bringing down four rebounds.
For the Mustangs:
• Kenny Byers lead SMSU with 20 points as he finished 6-16 in the field, went 1-1 from the three range and recorded the team-high of seven made free throws on 13 attempts.
• Byers also lead the Mustangs with 11 rebounds, four offensive and seven defensive.
• Dufault finished 4-9 in the field, 4-7 from past the arc and made all four of his attempted free throws to collected 16 points against the Mules.
News & Notes:
• This was Head Coach Doug Karleksint's first season opener loss. Karleksint is now 5-1 in season openers with the Mules.
• Today's game was just the second meeting between the Mules and the Mustangs. Southwest Minnesota State now owns a 2-0 advantage in the series.
Up Next:
Action in the Central Region Tipoff Classic resumes Sunday, Nov. 10 in UCM's Multipurpose Building. Arkansas-Monticello and SMSU are the first game of the day at 4 p.m., then the Mules face Augustana (S.D.) at 6 p.m.
