LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Central Missouri Mules (5-4, 0-4) defeated the Missouri St. - Louis Tritons (4-8, 2-3) by a final score of 71-46 on Monday, Dec. 18, in the opening day of the Las Vegas High Desert Classic from Desert Oasis High School in Las Vegas.
The Mules began the contest on a 12-3 run and led by 17 at the break shooting 53-percent from the field including 50-percent from beyond the arc. Guard
Caleb Nero (career and game-high 23 points, game-high four assists, three rebounds, and two steals overall) ended the opening half leading all scorers with 16 points including a three-pointer at the buzzer as the redshirt senior from Tulsa, Okla. finished the game going a career-best 5-of-12 from downtown.
Junior
Jalen Knott added 16 points and a team-high six rebounds shooting 60-percent from the floor adding a career-high four steals for good measure. Forwards
Jack Chapman (four rebounds and one assist) and
Tim Jordan Jr. (four rebounds and two assists) had eight points each, while redshirt senior
Jordan Hayes added five points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals respectively.
The Mules had 11 bench points on the night highlighted by
Raeshaun Ambris' nine points and two steals, plus, junior
Yafet Haile had a team-high six rebounds and two points as UCM outperformed the Tritons in numerous offensive categories including points off turnovers (23-4), second chance points (18-4), and points off fast breaks (9-6).
UCM returns to the court on Tuesday, Dec. 19, as they take on the Truman State Bulldogs in the final day of the Las Vegas High Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. with tip-off scheduled for 8:00 p.m. (CST) from Desert Oasis High School.
