WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Jan. 21, 2021) - In their return to the Multipurpose Building, the Central Missouri Mules basketball scored a season-high in a 89-82 victory over Northeastern State. Five Mules finished in double-figures with three recording season-high scoring performances.
How it Happened:
• Northeastern State was the first to lead and held onto that lead for the majority of the of first half.
• They saw their largest lead over the Mules at a seven point advantage just three minutes after the tip.
• Central Missouri gained their first lead over NSU at the 5:36 mark in the first half with a two-handed slam by
Ja'Cor Nelson.
• The RiverHawks outscored the Mules 9-6 in the final five minutes to take a 35-33 headed into the break.
• The second-half opened with a point-for-point battle with five lead changes in the first five minutes.
• Tied 46-46 at the 15-minute mark, the Mules were shooting lights out to find themselves on a 19-2 run over the RiverHawks, giving UCM their largest lead of the game at a 17-point advantage with 11 minutes left to play.
• Central Missouri continued their double-figure lead until the final minute.
• Northeastern State sent the Mules to the line six times in the final 60 seconds. Central Missouri hit all six to finalize the match-up in their favor at 89-82.
• It was a great offensive night for both teams with the RiverHawks shooting a season-high 59.3% and the Mules tied their season-high 29 field goals.
• The Mules shot an impressive 58.1% from the floor and 46.2% from the three in the second half alone.
• In total, UCM hit 29-60 from the field for 48.3%, 9-23 from the three for 39.1%, and 22-27 from the free-throw for 81.5%.
• The RiverHawks went 32-54 from the floor for 59.3%, 10-21 from the three for 47.6%, and hit 8-11 from the line for 72.7%.
• The Mules also saw a defensive advantage, out-rebounding NSU 30-27.
• Turnovers didn't help NSU's chances in the second half as they finished with 15 total, allowing the Mules to score 17 points off their mistakes.
Leading the Mules:
• Nelson shot 50% (8-16) and added a 6-8 performance at the free-throw line for a season-high 23 points.
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Gaven Pinkley attempted a season-high 15 field goals to finish with 15 points.
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Garrett Luinstra also scored a season-high with 13 points shooting 5-8 from the floor and 3-3 at the line.
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Cameron Hunter also scored 13 points and led the Mules with five assists.
• Dillion Blain was 4-5 with three threes for a career-high 11 points. Blain also led the UCM defense with a career-high seven rebounds.
Leading the RiverHawks:
• Trey Sampson led all scorers with 26 points. Sampson hit 10-13 from the floor and 6-7 at the foul line to total 26 points while also recording a game-high three blocks.
• Obi Agu finished 8-11 and led NSU with three threes to add 19 points.
• Troy Locke finished 7-9 from the field and 2-2 from behind the arc to end with 16.
• Brad Davis finished with 10 points and led the RiverHawks defense with eight rebounds.
News & Notes:
• Central Missouri recorded season-high performances in points scored (89) and blocked shots (3), and tied their season-high field goals made (29).
• The Mules 17-point advantage over NSU in the second half was the largest lead UCM has seen over an opponent this season.
• Pinkley lead UCM with nine double-figure games.
• Central Missouri continues to lead the all-time series over the RiverHawks 6-4.
Up Next:
Mules basketball will return to the Multipurpose Building on Saturday, Jan. 23 to take on Rogers State. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., following the Jennies game.
