FORT SMITH, Ark. – The Central Missouri Mules (2-0, 0-0) defeated the Harding Bisons (0-2, 0-0) by a final score of 62-59 on Saturday, Nov. 11, from Southside High School in Fort Smith, Ark.
The Mules jumped out to an 11-point advantage seven minutes into the ballgame and led by six at halftime as guard
Caleb Nero led UCM with nine points and two rebounds (12 points and three rebounds overall), while forwards
Jack Chapman (10 points, a team-high eight rebounds, and two assists overall) and
Tim Jordan Jr. (nine points going a perfect four-for-four from the field, adding two rebounds overall) each had six points respectively.
In the second half, the Bisons answered taking the lead at 55-52 with 4:55 remaining in the game but it was short lived as Central Missouri's
Jalen Knott (team-high 13 points and five rebounds overall) converted an and-one tying the game at 55. The Mules took the lead for good one possession later thanks to a second chance put back from redshirt senior
Keith Kiner III (seven points and six rebounds overall) improving to 2-0 on the season.
On the afternoon, guard
Jordan Hayes contributed six points and a team-high eight rebounds, while freshman
KJ Vasser had a team-high three assists, three points, and three rebounds in the winning effort.
The Mules return to the court on Saturday, Nov. 18, as they host the Missouri S&T Miners with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from the Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg.
