WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The Central Missouri Mules (8-8, 3-4 MIAA) defeated the Newman Jets (10-6, 3-4 MIAA) by a final score of 80-70 on Thursday, Jan. 16, during Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.
Central Missouri led by 11 at the break and never relinquished as the Mules picked up their eighth win of the season led by forward
Josh Nwankwo's game and season-high 20 points, highlighted by a career-best four three-pointers adding a team-best six boards for good measure.
In total, four Mules finished in double figures including Cincinnati, Ohio native
DeAirius Barker (18 points including a career-high five three-pointers, two rebounds, and two assists), guard
Kyran Tilley (12 points plus a game and season-high eight assists), and sophomore
Tim Jordan Jr. (10 points, five boards, and two assists).
Overland Park, Kan. native
Jack Chapman had six points, five rebounds, and three assists plus freshman
Kyree Polk added four points and a season-best four rebounds, while forward
Elijah Farr (five rebounds) and
Corey Skillman Jr. added three points each.
Sophomore
Noah Martin (career-high five boards, two assists, and career-best two steals) and guard
Jake Fritz (three rebounds) ended the contest with two points each in the winning effort as UCM outscored the Jets in the paint (32-36) and off the bench (21-16).
Central Missouri returns to the court on Saturday, Jan. 18, as they continue MIAA play hosting the Emporia State Hornets (4-12, 1-6 MIAA) at 3:00 p.m. for Military Appreciation Day inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.
