TAHLEQUAH, Kan. – The Central Missouri Mules (12-11, 7-7 MIAA) defeated the Northeastern State RiverHawks (13-10, 7-7 MIAA) by a final score of 65-56 on Thursday, Feb. 13, inside NSU Event Center in Tahlequah, Okla.             
 
Forward Josh Nwankwo scored the first 11 points of the game for Central Missouri in the first six minutes of play highlighted by a three-pointer making it a six-point Mule advantage. The Oklahoma City, Okla. native ended the first half with 17 points and a game-high six rebounds helping the Mules to a seven-point advantage 29-22.
 
The Mules led for 98.2 percent of the game en route to their 12^th victory of the season led by Nwankwo's season-high 24 points adding a team-best eight boards and two steals while freshman Kyran Tilley also ended the contest in double-figures with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting with a game-high four assists.
 
Central Missouri outscored the RiverHawks in numerous categories including points off turnovers (13-8), points in the paint (24-22), and bench points (9-8) as guard DeAirius Barker had nine points, four rebounds, and three assists in the winning effort.
 
Kansas City, Mo. native Elijah Farr contributed seven points, a career-high four blocks, and four boards while freshman Jake Fritz added six points and three rebounds, plus, forward Kyree Polk had three points and KJ Lee grabbed six boards for good measure.
 
Central Missouri returns to the court on Saturday, Feb. 15, as they continue MIAA play against the Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions (10-13, 4-10 MIAA) beginning at 3:00 p.m. inside the Stubblefield Center in Fort Smith, Ark.