WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Feb. 9, 2019) - Central Missouri came back from down big in the first half to defeat Emporia State in a thrilling game. Jafar Kinsey's shot with 1.6 seconds left proved to be the difference as UCM moves to 12-10 and 5-8 in the MIAA.

How it Happened
• The Mules shot incredibly well hitting 53% from the field. The Hornets weren't able to keep up at 40%, but did knock in three more triples and seven more free throws.
• Emporia State also won the rebounding edge, 34-29 and had 15 on the offensive glass which led to 14 second chance points.
• While ESU was throwing them up from behind the arc, the Mules were dominating in the paint, outscoring the Hornets 32-18 in the post. 
• This back-and-forth game saw seven ties and 13 lead changes. 
• The game started on a wild note when senior Jakob Lowrance dislocated his finger on the opening tip. That was no issue though, as he just popped it right back in and was ready to play after a brief 45 second substitution.
• Once things got rolling, the Mules found themselves in an early hole. In just a three minute span the Hornets opened up a 16-point lead, 23-7, thanks to an 18-3 run. 
• Central Missouri slowly started to chip away at the lead and with 3:43 left in the half, Brandon Emmert gave UCM their first lead, 28-27. That capped a 21-4 run for the Mules.
• After Lowrance made it a five-point game, 32-27, with 2:36 to play in the half, it looked like the Mules might be finished scoring before intermission. The Hornets scored nine straight to reclaim a four-point lead, 36-32, but Michael Winger grabbed and offensive rebound and beat the buzzer with a long two to give UCM some momentum going into the break down 36-34.
• The second half was tight throughout with neither team holding more than a six-point lead at any point.
• Both teams went on scoring spurts starting with the Hornets who scored five straight to turn a one-point lead, into a six-point lead with 13:53 to play.
• Down five, UCM got a layup from Daniel Farris and three free throws to tie the game for the fifth time, 57-57, with 7:23 to play.
• The Mules lead never grew bigger than three and the Hornets seemed to come up with answer to each shot the Mules hit. A tip-in by Lowrance made it a 62-59 Mules lead with just over five minutes left to play.
• Emporia State tied and took the lead as Julius Jackson scored nine straight ESU points. After a three, Emporia led by one, 68-67.
• Down one after a Matt Wilkinson layup, Jackson was fouled taking a three-point shot and sunk all three at the line as ESU again was now up two, 71-69.
• The final minute was all Kinsey for UCM. With 46 seconds left he drew contact in the lane and tied the game after hitting a pair of free throws. After Emporia missed on their chance to take the lead, Kinsey waited for his opportunity, milking the game clock down and creating just enough space to get nail a jumper with 1.6 seconds left and win the game.

It Was Over When...
• Emporia State did have a desperation heave at the end, but Kinsey sealed the game with game-winner with 1.6 seconds left to play.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Jakob Lowrance scored 16 going 6-9 from the floor. He also pulled down six rebounds.
• Likewise, Blake Spellman was also 6-9 for 16 points but did his a bit differently, going 4-6 from three.
• Kinsey finished the game scoring 11 with three assists.
• Michael Winger and Daniel Farris each scored 13.
• Brandon Emmert grabbed a team-best five rebounds.

For the Hornets
• Julius Jackson led the way with 21 points off the bench.
• Kooper Glick added a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
• Hassan Thomas chipped in with 13.

News and Notes
• All five Mules starters were in double-figures.
• In their last two wins, the Mules have overcome deficits of 18 and now 16 points.
• Central Missouri has come back to win from down 10 or more four times this season. 
• All 11 of Kinsey's points came in the second half. 
• This is the fifth straight win for the Mules over Emporia State.
• Brandon Emmert surpassed 150 rebounds tonight.
• Jakob Lowrance went over 1100 career points and is seven points away from 19th all-time.

Up Next
• Central Missouri hits the road with some momentum as they travel to Maryville, Mo. to take on MIAA leaders, Northwest Missouri Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 5:30.