ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Central Missouri Mules (9-10, 5-8) defeated the Missouri Western Griffons (8-10, 4-9) on Saturday, Jan. 21, inside MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph. The Mules trailed 37-33 at the break as Missouri Western shot 52 percent from the field, while UCM was led by guard
Mikel Henderson's 13 points (16 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal overall).
In the second half, the Griffons led by as many as 14, before Central Missouri responded with an 18-5 run led by four
Gaven Pinkley (game-high 26 points and five rebounds overall) three-pointers. With his efforts,
Gaven Pinkley has scored 1,287 points which is now 10
th all-time in Mules' history surpassing Gordan McFarland (1959-63).
UCM had three other players finish in double figures including guard
Trey Sides (15 points, two rebounds, and two assists), redshirt junior
Garrett Luinstra (11 points, five rebounds, and a team-high five assists), and forward
Jack Chapman (10 points, three rebounds, and three assists).
The Mules out-rebounded Missouri Western 35-31 thanks to forward
Ben Fritz' (three assists and two steals) game-high nine rebounds, leading to a 19-8 Central Missouri advantage in second chance points.
UCM continues conference play against the Lincoln Blue Tigers on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 3:00 p.m. from Jason Gymnasium in Jefferson City, Mo.
