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University of Central Missouri Athletics

UCM Mules guard Jordan Hayes (5) during an MIAA men’s college basketball game against the Washburn University (WU) Ichabods at the UCM Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg, Missouri on January 10, 2024.
Andrew Mather Photography

Men's Basketball

Mules Basketball Continues MIAA Play Hosting Pitt State Tuesday, Lincoln Saturday

Game 19: Pittsburg State Gorillas (10-8, 6-6) vs Central Missouri Mules (10-8, 5-7)
Tuesday, Jan. 30 | 5:30 p.m. | Warrensburg, Mo. (Multipurpose Building)
Radio: 1450 KOKO & 98.5 The BAR (Greg Hassler)
Live Stats | Live Video | Gorillas Roster
 
Game 20: Lincoln Blue Tigers (12-7, 7-6) vs Central Missouri Mules (10-8, 5-7)
Saturday, Feb. 3 | 3:00 p.m. | Warrensburg, Mo. (Multipurpose Building)
Radio: 1450 KOKO & 98.5 The BAR (Greg Hassler)
Live Stats | Live Video | Blue Tigers Roster 
 
 TIP OFF 
  • Central Missouri Mules basketball continues MIAA play with a pair of matchups at home against the Pittsburg State Gorillas (Tuesday, Jan. 30) at 5:30 p.m. before taking on the Lincoln Blue Tigers (Saturday, Feb. 3) with tip-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m. inside the Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg, Mo.
  • Saturday's victory over No. 22 Missouri Western (68-60) marked the first time since February of 2022 that the Mules have beaten a ranked opponent, doing so against (then 15th ranked) Central Oklahoma in Edmond 70-69.
  
ON THE AIR 
  • Both games will be broadcasted on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and warrensburgradio.com with the voice of the Mules Greg Hassler on the call.
  • All games will be streamed through the MIAA Network on a pay-per-view basis with coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday evening and 3:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
  
MEET THE MULES
  • Adam Bohac was named the 25th head coach in the 118-year history of Central Missouri Mules basketball in March of 2023 after 15 seasons as head coach of the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm where he had an overall record of 312-146 including 221-98 in GAC play. Bohac's teams have made nine post season appearances including four of the previous six seasons being in the NCAA Tournament. In 2022-23, the Storm reached the Sweet Sixteen and in 2019-20 were a two-seed in the tournament.  
  • The Mules are coming into 2023 with eleven of their 15 student-athletes having never stepped on the court for UCM.
  • Central Missouri returns four players from last year's team including guard Jordan Hayes and forwards Jack Chapman, Ben Fritz, and Yafet Haile.
  • The Mules brought in Division I transfers Caleb Nero (North Dakota) and Keith Kinner III (Niagara).
  • Other transfers include Jalen Knott (Alderson Broaddus), Terrance Broughton (Malone), Raeshaun Ambris (Moberly Area CC), and Josh Nwankwo (New Mexico JC).
  • The Mules added five freshman including guards KJ Vasser, Corey Skillman Jr., and Max Dowling, plus, forwards Noah Martin and Tim Jordan Jr.
 
LAST TIME OUT 
  • Three players scored in double figures as the University of Central Missouri Mules basketball team defeated the No. 22-ranked Missouri Western Griffons, 68-60, in a MIAA game Saturday, Jan. 27, inside the UCM Multipurpose Building.
  • The Mules (10-8, 5-7 MIAA) are scheduled to host Pittsburg State in a conference contest Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 5:30 p.m. in Warrensburg.
  • Jalen Knott tallied 17 points and went 10-of-13 at the free-throw line while Yafet Haile compiled a career-high 16 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting performance from the floor and a 2-of-2 showing at the free-throw line.
  • Tim Jordan Jr. rounded out the Mules in double figures with 11 points and tied his career-best with three assists, and Jordan Hayes snagged a career-best 12 rebounds.
  • For the game, Central Missouri shot 50 percent from the floor (22-of-44) and were 21-of-28 at the free-throw line for 75 percent.
  • Missouri Western (14-5, 8-5 MIAA) out rebounded the Mules, 35-29, but UCM tallied a 36-18 advantage in points in the paint and a 20-9 advantage in points off turnovers. Taye Fields netted 12 points to lead the Griffons.
  
UCM BY THE NUMBERS 
  • Through 18 games this season, the Mules are averaging 65 points per game while shooting 42 percent from the field, including 31 percent from beyond the arc and 71 percent from the charity stripe.
  • Central Missouri is averaging 33 rebounds, 11 assists, six steals, and 2.5 blocks per contest.
  • The Mules have four players averaging double figure scoring this season including guard Jalen Knott (12 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game), redshirt senior Caleb Nero (11.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per contest), forward Keith Kiner III (10.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, one block, and one assist per game), and freshman Tim Jordan Jr. (10.7 points, four rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game). 
 
SERIES HISTORY VS PITTSBURG STATE
  • Tuesday night will be the 125th all-time meeting between the Mules and Gorillas dating back to the 1916-17 season with UCM having a 48-14 advantage in Warrensburg.
  • Last season, Central Missouri won both contests highlighted by an 81-73 win inside the Multipurpose Building.
  • Four Mules finished the contest in double figures including forward Ben Fritz (16 points and three rebounds), redshirt senior Gaven Pinkley (15 points, three rebounds, and three assists), guard Kobe Campbell (14 points and six assists), and redshirt junior Trey Sides(10 points and two rebounds).
 
SERIES HISTORY VS LINCOLN
  • Ahead of Saturday's contest, the Mules lead the all-time series against Lincoln 63-41 dating back to the 1954-55 season.
  • Central Missouri has a record of 35-16 record in Warrensburg and has won five of the previous six meetings inside the Multipurpose Building.
  • Earlier this season in Jefferson City, the Blue Tigers came away with a 61-52 win as UCM was led by forward Keith Kiner III's 17 points and eight rebounds while freshman Tim Jordan Jr. added 13 points and seven rebounds for good measure.
 
 UP NEXT
  • Central Missouri continues MIAA play on Wednesday, Feb. 7, as they take on the Pittsburg State Gorillas with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside John Lance Arena in Pittsburg, Kan.

 
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Players Mentioned

Gaven Pinkley

#23 Gaven Pinkley

F
6' 9"
Redshirt Senior
Trey Sides

#11 Trey Sides

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
Kobe Campbell

#1 Kobe Campbell

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
Jack Chapman

#10 Jack Chapman

G/F
6' 7"
Junior
Ben Fritz

#33 Ben Fritz

F
6' 6"
Junior
Jordan Hayes

#5 Jordan Hayes

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
Yafet Haile

#13 Yafet Haile

F
6' 9"
Junior
Noah Martin

#21 Noah Martin

F
6' 7"
Freshman
KJ Vasser

#3 KJ Vasser

G
6' 0"
Freshman
Caleb Nero

#0 Caleb Nero

G
6' 1"
Redshirt Senior

Players Mentioned

Gaven Pinkley

#23 Gaven Pinkley

6' 9"
Redshirt Senior
F
Trey Sides

#11 Trey Sides

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
G
Kobe Campbell

#1 Kobe Campbell

6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
G
Jack Chapman

#10 Jack Chapman

6' 7"
Junior
G/F
Ben Fritz

#33 Ben Fritz

6' 6"
Junior
F
Jordan Hayes

#5 Jordan Hayes

6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
G
Yafet Haile

#13 Yafet Haile

6' 9"
Junior
F
Noah Martin

#21 Noah Martin

6' 7"
Freshman
F
KJ Vasser

#3 KJ Vasser

6' 0"
Freshman
G
Caleb Nero

#0 Caleb Nero

6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
G