EMPORIA, Kan. (Dec. 19, 2020) - Central Missouri grabbed an early lead in the second half, but couldn't hang on in a 73-64 loss at Emporia State. It was the final game before the holiday break for the Mules who fall to 1-6.

How it Happened
• The Mules shot 38% for the game and 37% from three. UCM was 8-17 from behind the arc in the second half.
• Emporia hit on 45% of their shots and were 11-26 from three. The Hornets also went 20-23 at the free throw line while UCM was 10-12.
• Emporia State held a 34-28 rebounding edge. The Mules though outscored ESU 20-18 in the paint and 12-5 on second-chance points.
• The Mules forced 16 turnovers and scored 19 points off them with 14 fast-break points. 
• The Hornets lead for much of the first half, nearly 17 minutes. The jumped out to an eight-point lead, 18-10 and that's around where the lead stayed for much of the half.
• UCM started making a comeback thanks to a 7-1 run, cutting the lead down to one, 21-20 after a three from Ja'Cor Nelson. The Mules grabbed their first lead, 25-24 following an Ante Sustic three-point play.
• The Mules led by two in the closing seconds of the half, but a Ben Smith three gave ESU a one-point lead, 27-26 at the break. 
• Central Missouri came out on fire in the second half. They scored the first eight points getting back-to-back three's from Gaven Pinkley and Jalen Blaize and led 34-27 forcing an ESU timeout.
• The lead quickly disappeared though as Emporia State cut it to one, 36-35 at the under 15 timeout. Emporia State took the lead, 39-35 converting on a four-point play and never trailed again.
• Pinkley hit another triple and the two teams traded three-point baskets. Still tied at 44, the Hornets went on another run, this time 8-0 for a 52-44 lead midway through the half.
• The Mules stayed in the game hitting a bunch of threes, but ESU was there to answer each time and time ran out as the Mules fell 73-64.

It Was Over When...
• The Hornets went into the under 10 timeout on an 8-0 run to get on top 52-44. The Mules were able to hit a bunch of shots, but couldn't keep the Hornets off the board and were trading baskets the rest of the way.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Gaven Pinkley scored 17 points with six rebounds. He was 5-14 from the floor and 3-8 from three.
• Jalen Blaize scored 17 as well with three three-pointers and three steals.
• Ja'Cor Nelson played just the first half and scored nine points on 4-7 shooting with two rebounds and three steals.
• Ante Sustic added seven points with three bounds.
• Easton Darling hit a pair of threes and scored six points.

For the Hornets
• Dallas Bailey went 4-5 from three scoring 16 points with four rebounds, four assists and three rebounds.
• Austin Downing also scored 16 with a game-high five assists.
• Jumah'ri Turner chipped in 14 points and Gage McGuire 13.

News and Notes
• The Hornet win snaps a six game UCM winning streak over the Hornets.
• Ja'Cor Nelson missed thes second half due to an injury.
• Cameron Hunter returned to the lineup after missing Thursday's game at Washburn.
• Easton Darling matched a career-high with six points. 

Up Next
• The Mules will be back in action after the New Year. They'll play at home January 7 and 9 against Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney.