No. 1 Bearcats Slip Past Mules

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Feb. 21, 2019) - Central Missouri Mules Basketball put forth another strong defensive effort against Northwest Missouri, but didn't have enough offense to take down the No. 1 team in the country in a 64-49 loss Thursday night. The loss puts the Mules at 13-12 this season and 6-10 in the MIAA.

How it Happened
• The Mules struggled from behind the arc shooting just 3-20. They found much more success inside where they were 17-33 and finished the game shooting 38%. The Bearcats meanwhile were 24-48 for the game and 10-27 from three.
• Both teams struggled at the free throw line with the Mules going 6-11 and the Bearcats 6-15.
• Northwest won the rebounding battle, 36-30. They also scored 10 second chance points to the Mules two.
• Central Missouri forced 12 turnovers and used their eight steals to help score eight fast-break points.
• The Beracats started out hot, scoring the games first eight points and forcing a UCM timeout just 2:12 into the game. Four minutes in and the Bearcats extended their lead to 12, 14-2, when the Mules started to come back.
• A layup from Daniel Farris and a thunderous dunk from Brandon Emmert, brought the lead down the eight and put some life into the crowd. 
• The Mules continued to chip away and with 3:39 left, Michael Winger made it a six point game, 27-21, with a three. On their final possession, Jakob Lowrance put in three the old-fashioned way and UCM went into the half down just four, 32-28.
• Both teams struggled to start the second half. The Bearcats went on a 4-0 run in the first 3:23 before a three from Jafar Kinsey brought the lead back down to five, 36-31.
• But the Mules couldn't keep up with the Bearcat offense who used a 14-3 run over 4:06 to push their lead out to 16, 50-34 with 12:10 left. 
• The lead remained in double-figures for the Bearcats the rest of the way who came away with a 64-49 win.

It Was Over When...
• The Mules scored six straight late in the second half to bring the lead down to 61-47. Daniel Farris scored six of the Mules eight straight points, but Joey Witthus hit a three to stop the Mules scoring spurt and put the game away.

Mules Stat Leaders 
• Jakob Lowrance scored 12 points on 5-8 shooting.
• Daniel Farris also added 12 going 4-6 with six rebounds, 4 assists and three steals.
• Brandon Emmert scored 11 off the bench.
• Jafar Kinsey chipped in seven points with five rebounds and two assists.

For the Bearcats
• Trevor Hudgins scored 21 points with three three-pointers.
• Ryan Welty and Diego Bernard each added 14. Welty went 4-7 from deep while Bernard was 6-10 overall. 
• Joey Witthus secured a game-high seven rebounds to go with nine points.

News and Notes
• Central Missouri held the top-scoring team in the MIAA to their two lowest point totals in back-to-back weeks. Their 64 points are a season-low.
• The Mules have held each of their last six opponents to fewer than 75 points and their last three under 70 points.
• Daniel Farris' three steals match a career-high which he has now done in back-to-back weeks against the Bearcats.
• Jakob Lowrance moved into 17th place on the Mules all-time scoring list. 

Up Next
• The Mules final home game and Senior Day is set for Saturday, Feb. 23 with a 3:30 p.m. tipoff. The Mules will honor seniors Jafar Kinsey and Jakob Lowrance at halftime of the Jennies game.