WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The Central Missouri Mules (3-0, 0-0) defeated the Missouri S&T Miners (3-1, 0-0) by a final score of 87-62 on Saturday, Nov. 18, in the 2023-24 home opener inside the Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg.  
The Mules trailed by as many as four in the opening minutes of the contest, but freshman Tim Jordan Jr. (career-high 14 points, three rebounds, and two assists) connected from beyond the arc cutting the deficit to one before a second-chance bucket from Keith Kiner III (14 points, four rebounds, and career-high three blocks overall) gave UCM the lead for good on their next possession.
 
Central Missouri led by eight at the break and widened the lead to 31 with three minutes remaining in the contest as the Mules outscored Missouri S&T in the paint (30-28), off turnovers (16-10), and second chance (15-9) respectively.
 
Guard Caleb Nero led UCM with 19 points and two rebounds, while junior Jalen Knott added 16 points, two rebounds, and two steals. Redshirt senior Jordan Hayes collected a game-high seven rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two points, plus, forward Jack Chapman had five points, four assists, and four rebounds.
 
Junior Raeshaun Ambris contributed five points, two rebounds, and two assists, while guard KJ Vasser added three points and three rebounds for good measure. Forward Noah Martin had five points and two rebounds, plus junior Ben Fritz had four points and four rebounds in the winning effort.  
 
The Mules return to the court on Saturday, Nov. 25, as they take on the Park University Pirates with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from the Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg, Mo.