Hot-Shooting Ichabods Slip By Mules

TOPEKA, Kan. (Dec. 17, 2020) - Central Missouri Mules Basketball got off to a strong second-half start to cut an Ichabod lead down to nine, but the momentum faded as the Mules dropped an 80-60 contest to Washburn in the penultimate game of the 2020 calendar year.

How it Happened
• The Mules shot 33% for the game and were 4-21 from three while Washburn connected at a 52% clip and were 15-34 from behind the arc.
• The Ichabods held a 41-29 advantage on the boards and came away with eight offensive rebounds.
• The Mules forced Washburn into 16 turnovers with eight steals. UCM used those 16 turnovers to score 12 points.
• Inside the paint the Mules outscored Washburn 20-18.  
• Washburn got out to a hot start taking a 13-4 lead and were up 16, 24-8 midway through the first.
• The Ichabods kept hitting three-pointers, nine of them in the opening half. WU led by as many as 23 and after 20 minutes went into the half leading 43-25. Gaven Pinkley picked up an offense board and a putback at the buzzer. Ja'Cor Nelson scored 10 of the Mules 25 in the opening stanza.
• UCM came out and got the lead down to single digits. A three from Gaven Pinkley made it 49-40. 
• The lead hovered around 10 for a while before the Mules comeback attempt ran out of steam. Washburn brought the lead back to 15 and a three from Tyler Nelson made it 18, 71-53 with just over three minutes to play.
• Washburn was able to run out the clock the rest of the way and came away with an 80-60 win.

It Was Over When...
• Tyler Nelson buried a three with just over three minutes left to put the Ichabods back up 18, 71-53. 

Mules Stat Leaders
• Gaven Pinkley scored a game-high 21 on 6-11 shooting and was 7-9 at the free throw line with seven rebounds.
• Ja'Cor Nelson added 20 points going 7-13 with seven rebounds.
• Easton Darling scored four with two assists.
• Garrett Luinstra added five with a rebound, steal and an assist.

For the Ichabods
• Jalen Lewis hit four three-pointers and scored a team-high 16.
• Drew Maschoff scored 14 with nine rebounds.
• Tyler Geiman added 13 with three triples, six rebounds and five assists.

News and Notes
• Ja'Cor Nelson's 20 points are a UCM high. It's also his third game this season with 10+ points.
• The all-time series between these two teams is now even at 52-apiece.
• Gaven Pinkley surpassed 250 career rebounds.
• The Mules outscored Washburn in the second half 35-34. The Mules are a +10 in the second half of games this season.

Up Next
• The Mules will play their final game of 2020 Saturday, Dec. 19 traveling to Emporia, Kan. to take on the Emporia State Hornets. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.