Mules Come Within Single Digits of No.1 Bearcats

MARYVILLE, Mo. (Dec. 3, 2020) - Central Missouri Mules Basketball fell to top-ranked Northwest Missouri in a battle that ended in a 74-67 Bearcat advantage.

How it Happened:
• Central Missouri saw their first and only lead over the Bearcats in their first minute of the game as Gaven Pinkley drained a three to give UCM a 3-2 advantage. 
• With the Mules down by two at the 12:45 mark in the first half, Northwest followed a layup with a three-point shot for a quick seven-point advantage at 14-7.
• The Bearcats continued to match every UCM basket in the first half as the Mules went into the half down 32-20. 
• No. 1 Northwest continued to lead through the second half as they saw their largest lead over the Mules at a 20-point advantage with 11:55 left to play. 
• In the final 10 minutes, Central Missouri outscored the Bearcats 27-20 but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. 
• The Mules stayed within 10 points of the Bearcats through the final five minutes of play, even coming with five points with 16 seconds left on the clock. 
• Northwest scored the final points with a pair of free-throws to end the contest 74-67 in the Bearcats advantage. 
•  Central Missouri out-shot the top-ranked Bearcats, shooting 23-46 for 50% from the field compared to Northwest's 46.7% at 21-45. 
• The Mules also saw an advantage from beyond the arc as UCM hit 10-22 of 45.5% from the three-point range while the Bearcats finished just 8-22 for 36.4%. 
• Northwest found an advantage at the foul line, hitting 24-26 while the Mules finished just 11-16. 
• The Bearcats also saw a defensive advantage on the boards as they finished with 33 rebounds to the Mules 19. 

Leading the Mules:
• Cameron Hunter finished 6-14 from the field with a game-high of five three's and a perfect 6-6 performance at the foul line to lead UCM with 23 points. 
• Hunter also recorded the UCM team-high rebounds, steals, and assists with five boards, four steals, and three assists. 
• Ja'Cor Nelson went 5-12 from the field and 3-5 from the free-throw line to add 13 points to the UCM offense. 
• Pinkley hit three from beyond the arc to finish with 12 points and the only UCM block.

Leading the No.1 Bearcats:
• Ryan Hawkins shot 50% from the field, including a 4-10 performance from the three-point range, and went 3-4 from the free-throw line to finish with the game-high 25 points.
• Trevor Hudgins finished 4-9 with two three's and a perfect 8-8 at the foul line to total 18 points for the Bearcats. Hudgins also led Northwest with five assists. 
• Wes Dreamer led the Bearcat defense with eight rebounds while also adding six points to the offense. 

News & Notes: 
• Mules newcomer Hunter has led the Mules offense in three of the four contests so far this season. 
• The top-ranked Bearcats increase their overall win streak to 25 games. 
• Northwest won its 34th consecutive home game in Bearcat Arena. 
• Central Missouri has shot 50% or better in two of their first four games of the 2020-21 season. 
• The Mules continue to lead the all-time series over Northwest 128-99.

Up Next:
Mules Basketball returns to action Saturday, Dec. 5th, as they travel to St. Joseph to face the Griffons of Missouri Western. Tip-off is scheduled at 3:30 p.m. in the MWSU Fieldhouse.