WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Dec. 31, 2019) - Central Missouri Mules Basketball recorded a season-high shooting performance against Saint Mary's on New Year's Eve in the Multipurpose Building. In their final game of 2019, the Mules recorded a season-high of 93 points while shooting 61.8% from the field and 63.2% from the three-point range.
How it Happened:
• Both the Mules and the Spires were feeling it to begin the first half as each team shot 100% in the first three minutes after the tip off.
• Central Missouri made their first 17 shots and gained a double-digit lead at the 15:07 mark in the first half.
• The Mules continued to grow their lead, gaining a 53-18 advantage by halftime. Saint Mary's 18 points is the lowest points allowed in a half by Central Missouri this season.
• In the first half Central Missouri hit 8-9 for 88.9% from beyond the arc and 20-29 for 69% from the field.
Matt Wilkinson lead the Mules offense for the first 20 minutes going 5-5 from the field and 4-4 from the three.
• The Spires went 8-28 from the field and 0-10 from the three-point range in the first half.
• Saint Mary's recorded a 26-point improvement in the second half to outscore the Mules 44-40 in the final 20 minutes.
• Central Missouri's biggest lead of the game was a 38-point advantage with 10:31 left to play in the second half.
• The Mules would finish the game with a new season-high field goal percentage of 61.8% (34-55) and a new season-high three-point percentage of 63.2% (12-19).
• Central Missouri also had the edge on the rebounding battle, recording 35 boards to the Spires 29.
Leading the Mules:
• Wilkinson hit 7-10 from the field, 5-7 from the three and 3-4 from the free throw line to record a career-high of 22 points against the Spires. This trumps the senior's prior career-high of 20 points set last season against Springfield.
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Joshua Greer went 4-6 from the field and 1-2 from beyond the arc to finish with 13 points. Greer also recorded a team-high of two steals.
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Gaven Pinkley had 12 points while leading the Mules defense with seven rebounds.
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Daniel Farris went 4-5 from the field and hit a perfect 2-2 from the three-point range for 10 points.
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DeAndre Sorrells played the team-high of 29:41 minutes while recorded seven points and four assists.
For the Spires:
• Lavar McCullough recorded an impressive 26 points to lead Saint Mary's offense. The senior guard finished 9-16 for 56.3% from the field and 8-8 from the foul line.
• Luke Mackey recorded the Spires team-high of three assists.
• Brad Hailey lead the Saint Mary's defense with 10 rebounds.
News & Notes:
• The win is
Doug Karleskint's 100th victory as Head Coach for the Mules.
• Central Missouri increases their lead in the all-team series against Saint Mary's to 4-0.
• The Spires three-point field goal percentage of 9.5% is an opponent low for the Mules.
• Sophomore Pinkley now has nine games scoring in double figures while Wilkinson has four.
Next Up:
Central Missouri returns to league play with three road games coming up, beginning with Central Oklahoma on Saturday, Jan. 4. Tip off against the Bronchos is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in Edmond, Okla.
