Mules Upset No. 23 Griffons at Home

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Jan. 28, 2021) - The Central Missouri Mules basketball team picked up their fourth consecutive win with a 70-64 victory over No. 23 Missouri Western. Five Mules finished in double-figures led by Cameron Hunter with 16.

How it Happened: 
• It was a slow start to both offenses as Missouri Western lead UCM 9-7 after five minutes of play. 
• Down 15-14 at the 11:30 mark, a three-pointer by Gaven Pinkley sparked an 18-2 UCM run that would carry the Mules into the final five minutes of the first half with a 15-point lead over the Griffons.
• Missouri Western landed back-to-back threes in the final minutes to finish the half trailing by nine, 34-25.
• Central Missouri continued their lead into the second half, leading by five or more points until a 13-2 MWSU brought the Griffons within two points, 61-63 with 3:17 left to play. 
• A three-point play by MWSU's Will Eames tied the game 64-64 with under a minute to go.
• Ja'Cor Nelson made a layup to regain the Mules lead which was followed with a Griffon turnover and a Nelson dunk. 
• A pair of free-throws by Koray Gilbert capped the game at 70-64 Mules victory. 
• Missouri Westerns offense struggled as they finished with their second-lowest field goal percentage of the season at 34.9% (22-63). The Griffons struggled at the foul line, making just 15 of 24 attempts for 62.5%.
• However, the Griffons were not the only ones struggling offensively. From the three-point range, UCM recorded it's lowest three-point field goal percentage of the season, landing just 2-16 for 12.5%.
• Central Missouri's shooting improved inside the arc as the Mules finished 25-55 from the field for 45.5% and 18-25 from the free-throw line for 72%.
• The Mules also saw an advantage at the boards, out-rebounding the Griffons 41-36. 

Leading the Mules:
• Hunter went 4-8 from the field, 1-4 from the three, and 7-8 at the line to lead the Mules with 16 points. Hunter also led UCM with four assists and three steals while bringing down eight rebounds.
• Nelson led UCM with field goals to finish with 12 points, including his back-to-back baskets in the final minute to secure the UCM victory.
• Pinkley totaled 11 points and led the defense with nine rebounds, finishing one away from a double-double.
• Gilbert finished 4-6 in the field and a perfect 2-2 at the free-throw line to finish with 10.
• Mohammed Abubakar recorded a season-high 10 points and three blocks. 

Leading the Griffons:
• Caleb Bennett hit 7-12 from the field, 1-4 from the three, and 4-4 at the line to lead MWSU with 19 points. The redshirt junior also tied the team-high six rebounds.
• Will Eames and Jaron Thames finished with 11 apiece. Eames also recorded six rebounds to share the team-high with Bennett.
• Tyrell Carroll lead the Griffons with five assists while finishing with 10 points. 

News & Notes:
• Central Missouri recorded a season-high six blocks, led by Abubakar with three.
• This was UCM's first win over a ranked program this season. The last ranked team the Mules defeated was their 54-52 upset over No. 10 Missouri Southern last season at home.
• The Mules finished with 40 or more rebounds for the second time this season.
• Central Missouri continues to lead the all-time series over MWSU 42-31. 

Up Next:
Mules basketball returns to action Saturday, Jan. 30 to take on the No. 3 Bearcats of Northwest. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in the UCM Multipurpose Building, following the Jennies game.