WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Jan. 13) - The Central Missouri Mules Basketball team looks to pick up their first road wins of 2021 as they travel to Oklahoma and Kansas for a pair of MIAA match ups.
Opponents:
Central Oklahoma Bronchos (1-4, 1-4 MIAA)
Newman Jets (2-7, 2-7 MIAA)
Where:
Edmond, Oklahoma - Hamilton Field House
Wichita, Kansas - Fugate Gym
When:
Thursday, Jan. 14 - 7:30 p.m. at Central Oklahoma
Saturday, Jan. 16 - 3:30 p.m. at Newman
Fan Information:
• There will be no visiting fans allowed at either Central Oklahoma or Newman.
On the Air:
• Games will be broadcast on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and now the all new 107.9 fm. You can also stream online at warrensburgradio.com with Greg Hassler calling the action.
• All games will also be webcast online through the MIAA's Blue Frame portal at http://www.themiaanetwork.com/ucmmules/.
• Links to live stats and live video can also be found at ucmathletics.com.
Tip off:
• The Mules are 1-1 to begin the new year after defeating Fort Hays State last Thursday then falling to Nebraska-Kearney this past Saturday.
• Central Missouri shot for a combined 50% (55-110) in their last two games and tied their season-high 29 made field goals in a 71-64 win over the Tigers.
• The Mules will be Central Oklahoma's first match up in 25 days. In the Bronchos last outing, they suffered a 90-68 loss to Newman on Dec. 19th.
• Newman's originally scheduled match up against Lincoln on Thursday, Jan. 14th, has been postponed to COVID protocols making their meeting with the Mules their first contest of the week.
Mules Feed:
• Central Missouri has shot over 50% in four of their nine games this season. They are currently shooting 45.5% (217-476) from the floor and 35.5% (60-169) from the three-point range, ranking seventh in the MIAA in each category.
• The Mules have out-scored their opponents in the second-half in all games but three games.
• Four of the UCM starters,
Cameron Hunter,
Jalen Blaize,
Ja'Cor Nelson and
Gaven Pinkley, are currently averaging in double-figure scoring
• The Mules offense is lead by Hunter who ranks ninth in the league in scoring averaging 16.3 points per game. Hunter also leads UCM in assists and ranks fifth in the league with 4.3 assists per contest.
• Blaize leads the Mules from the three-point range with 18 three's on the season while averaging 12.3 points per game.
• Pinkley leads the Mules at the boards with 5.0 rebounds per game while also averaging 12.1 points per game. Pinkley is currently shooting 48.6% (36-74) from the field and leads the Mules with a 44.1 three-points field goal percentage (15-34).
• Nelson is averaging 11.6 points per contests and leads UCM from inside the arc, shooting 55.1% (43-78). Nelson also leads the Mules defense with 17 steals.
• The Mules rank third in the league with 8.11 steals per game.
• The Mules rank fourth in the MIAA in free-throws shooting 75% (144-192). Hunter ranks third in the league individually, shooting 87.1% at the foul line.
• Central Missouri shot a season-high 56% in their first win over Pittsburg State and 54.7% in their second win over Fort Hays State.
Series History vs. Central Oklahoma:
• Thursday's matchup marks the 20th meeting between the Bronchos and the Mules with UCM leading the series 10-9.
• Central Missouri is 3-5 against the Bronchos while playing in Edmond.
• The Mules and the Bronchos met once last season which resulted in a 77-51 UCO victory in Edmond.
Series History vs. Newman:
• As one of the MIAA's newest members, the Mules and Jets have only met twice in the past with each team recording a win.
• Central Missouri is 0-1 while playing in Wichita after suffering a 84-77 loss to the Jets on their home court last season.
Scouting the Bronchos:
• With three games postponed so far this season, UCO's five games played and 1-4 record is the lowest in the MIAA.
• Central Oklahoma is currently shooting 38.2% (117-306) from the field and 26.2% (27-103) from the three-point range to rank at the bottom of the league in both categories.
• The Bronchos lone win was a 72-65 victory over Nebraska-Kearney on Dec. 12th. Against the Lopers, UCO made a season-high 28 field goals on a season-high 67 attempts.
• Camryn Givens leads the UCO offense with 13.4 points per game. Givens in shooting 39.6% (21-53) from the field, 27.3% (6-22) from the three-point range, and 86.4% (19-22) from the free-throw line.
• Isaiah Wade leads the defense and ranks third in the MIAA with 9.3 rebounds per contests while also averaging 11.5 points per game.
• Justin Nimmer is the Bronchos leading disher with 2.4 assists per game while also averaging 9.8 points per game.
Scouting the Jets:
• With Newman's Thursday meeting against Lincoln postponed, the Jets face UCM after three straight losses to Emporia State (76-42), Rogers State (73-56), and Northeastern State (82-72).
• Newman's 67.7 points per game and 39.5% field goal shooting also ranks towards the bottom of the league.
• Branden Bunn leads the Jets offense with 13.4 points per game. Bunn is currently shooting 38.2% (34-89) from the field and ranks fifth in the MIAA from the three-point range shooting 38.3% (23-60). Bunn also has Newman's team-high 10 steals.
• Also averaging in double-figure scoring is Joel Boyce with 13.3 points per game. Boyce leads the Jets with 43 made field goals at 55.8% shooting.
• Boyce also leads the Newman defense with 7.1 rebounds per game.
Last Time Out:
WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Jan. 9, 2021) - Four Mules finish in double-figures as Central Missouri's second-half comeback fell short against Nebraska-Kearney.
• The Mules came out hot against the Lopers as a three-pointer by
Jalen Blaize was followed with a Gavin Pinkley layup to give UCM a quick 5-0 advantage after a minute of play.
• Nebraska-Kearney answered the Mules lead with a 10-0 run to gain the led which they would hold for the entirety of the half.
• The Lopers outscored the Mules 41-29 in the first half, shooting 46.9% from the field with seven three-point field goals.
• Central Missouri began to chip away at UNK's double-figure lead to begin the second half as Blaize drove in for a layup to bring the Mules within eight points at the 17:11 mark.
• The Mules came within one score of the Lopers in the final minutes but were unable to gain an advantage before the end of the second half.
• After seven first-half three's, UCM held the Lopers to a 1-7 shooting performance from outside the arc in the second half.
• Central Missouri's offense also outshone in the second half, hitting 16-30 for 53.3%.
• Overall, the Mules shot 45.6% (26-57) from the field, 35% (7-20) from the three, and 66.7% (10-15) from the free-throw line while the Lopers hit 43.1% (25-58) from the field, 34.8% (8-23) from the three-point range, and 73.7% (14-19) from the foul line.
• Nebraska-Kearney also saw an advantage at the boards, out-rebounding the Mules 39-32.
• Hunter went 5-9 from the field, 2-6 from the three and 7-8 from the free-throw line to lead UCM with 19.
• Pinkley collected six points in the paint went 1-2 at the line to finish with 13. Pinkley also led the Mules defense with six rebounds.
•
Ja'Cor Nelson hit 5-9 with one three and free-throw to total 12 points.
• Blaize led the Mules from outside the arc with three three's as he finished with 11.
Individual Milestones:
• Gavin Pinkly is 11 points away from 600 career points and 30 boards away from 300 career rebounds.
•
Garrett Luinstra is 14 rebounds away from his career 100th at UCM.
