KEARNEY, Neb. – The Central Missouri Mules (5-4, 1-1 MIAA) defeated the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers (1-7, 0-2 MIAA) by a final score of 59-57 on Saturday, Dec. 7, inside the Health & Sports Center in Kearney, Neb.         
 
The Mules trailed by five at the break as freshman Kyran Tilley (game-high 13 points, two rebounds, and two steals overall) led the way for Central Missouri with eight points going 3-of-8 from the floor including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.
 
Nebraska-Kearney began the second half on an 8-2 run and led by as many as 13, but the Mules responded with a 15-0 run taking a two-point lead with a triple from Corey Skillman Jr. (six points and two steals overall) and never relinquished picking up their fifth win of the season.
 
Guards DeAirius Barker (two assists and two steals) and KJ Lee (team-high six rebounds and three blocks) collected 10 points each holding the Lopers to just four points in the final four minutes of play.
 
Elijah Farr (five rebounds) and sophomore Tim Jordan Jr. (two rebounds) had six points each, while forwards Josh Nwankwo (five rebounds) and Jack Chapman (four rebounds) added four points in the winning effort.
 
The Mules return to the court on Tuesday, Dec. 17, as they take on the Texas Permian Basin Falcons (5-2, 2-1 LSC) in the opening game of the River City Holiday Classic beginning at 11:00 a.m. from the Northeast ISD Sports Gym in San Antonio, Texas.