UCM Mules guard Jalen Knott (1) 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 Travels to Pittsburg State Wednesday, Missouri Southern Saturday

Game 21: Central Missouri Mules (10-10, 5-9) vs Pittsburg State Gorillas (13-8, 9-6)
Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Pittsburg, Kan. (John Lance Arena)
Radio: 1450 KOKO & 98.5 The BAR (Greg Hassler)
Live Stats | Live Video | Gorillas Roster
 
Game 22: Central Missouri Mules (10-10, 5-9) vs Missouri Southern Lions (9-12, 7-8)
Saturday, Feb. 3 | 3:30 p.m. | Joplin, Mo. (Leggett & Platt Athletic Center)
Radio: 1450 KOKO & 98.5 The BAR (Greg Hassler)
Live Stats | Live Video | Lions Roster
 
 
 
TIP OFF 
  • Central Missouri Mules basketball continues MIAA play with a pair of road matchups against the Pittsburg State Gorillas (Wednesday, Feb. 7) at 7:30 p.m. inside John Lance Arena before taking on the Missouri Southern Lions (Saturday, Feb. 10) with tip-off scheduled for 3:30 p.m. inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center in Joplin.    
 
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 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening and 3:30 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 
  • The Central Missouri Mules (10-10, 5-9) fell to the Lincoln Blue Tigers (13-7, 8-6) by a final score of 52-51 in overtime on Saturday afternoon inside the Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg.  
  • The Mules led by three at the break as freshman Tim Jordan Jr. (12 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals overall) led UCM with seven points while guard Jordan Hayes (career-high 14 rebounds, nine points, and three steals overall) grabbed eight rebounds for good measure.
  • Freshman Corey Skillman Jr. had 12 points, and four rebounds while forward Yafet Haile contributed eight points and four boards on the afternoon.
  • Guard Jalen Knott (three rebounds and three assists) and redshirt senior Keith Kiner III added five points each.
  • Lincoln was paced by forward Elijah Farr's game-high 16 points and four rebounds as the Blue Tigers picked up their 13th victory of the season.
 
UCM BY THE NUMBERS 
  • Through 20 games this season, the Mules are averaging 64 points per game while shooting 40 percent from the field, including 30 percent from beyond the arc and 70 percent from the charity stripe.
  • Central Missouri is averaging 34 rebounds, 10.5 assists, six steals, and three blocks per contest.
  • The Mules have four players averaging double figure scoring this season including guard Jalen Knott (11.4 points, four rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game), redshirt senior Caleb Nero (11 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per contest), forward Tim Jordan Jr. (11 points, four rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game), and redshirt senior Keith Kiner III (10 points, 4.7 rebounds, and one assist per game). 
 
SERIES HISTORY VS PITTSBURG STATE
  • Wednesday night will be the second meeting in nine days for the Mules and Gorillas as PSU came away with a 63-58 win inside the Multipurpose Building on Jan. 30th.
  • Last season inside John Lance Arena, Central Missouri overcame a 17-point deficit thanks to a Jack Chapman tip-in layup with one second remaining to win the game 64-62. 
  • Guard Mikel Henderson led the Mules with 14 points while redshirt sophomore Kobe Campbell added 12 points and six rebounds.
 
SERIES HISTORY VS MISSOURI SOUTHERN
  • Ahead of Saturday's contest, the Mules lead the all-time series against Missouri Southern 42-33 following their matchup earlier this season in Warrensburg.
  • The Lions boast a record of 20-14 in Joplin winning five of the last six contests including last season's 82-74 outing inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
  • Redshirt senior Gaven Pinkley led the Mules with 28 points and three rebounds while guard Mikel Henderson ended the night with 22 points and six assists for good measure.
 
 UP NEXT
  • Central Missouri continues MIAA play on Thursday, Feb. 15, as they host the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside the Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg.

 
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Players Mentioned

Gaven Pinkley

#23 Gaven Pinkley

F
6' 9"
Redshirt Senior
Kobe Campbell

#1 Kobe Campbell

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
Mikel Henderson

#2 Mikel Henderson

G
6' 1"
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
Kobe Campbell

#1 Kobe Campbell

6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
G
Mikel Henderson

#2 Mikel Henderson

6' 1"
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