WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The Central Missouri Mules (9-8, 4-4 MIAA) defeated the Emporia State Hornets (4-13, 1-7 MIAA) by a final score of 48-45 on Saturday, Jan. 18, during Military Appreciation Day inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.
Emporia State led by seven in the opening minute of the second half, but the Mules responded with a 10-0 run highlighted with a pair of triples from guard
DeAirius Barker and never relinquished en route to their ninth win of the season. Barker, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, finished the contest with a game-high 17 points adding a team-best eight boards for good measure.
Guard
Kyran Tilley (two rebounds and two assists) and sophomore
Tim Jordan Jr. (team-high eight boards) had 11 points each, while Kansas City, Mo. native contributed four points and two rebounds on the afternoon.
Central Missouri held the Hornets to just 28.6 percent from the field and out-rebounded ESU 38-37 as senior
Jack Chapman (seven boards and two assists) and forward
Josh Nwankwo (three rebounds) collected two points each while New Orleans, La. native
Corey Skillman Jr. had two rebounds, two steals, and one point for good measure.
Central Missouri returns to the court on Wednesday, Jan. 22, as they continue MIAA play against the Missouri Western Griffons (11-6, 3-4 MIAA) at 7:30 p.m. inside the MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph, Mo.
