Andrew Mather | University Photographer

Men's Basketball 2/7/2025 11:51:00 AM

Mules Basketball Continues MIAA Play at No. 1 Washburn Saturday

TIP OFF

Central Missouri Mules basketball continues conference on the road against No. 1 Washburn Ichabods (21-0, 12-0 MIAA) Saturday, Feb. 8, beginning at 3:00 p.m. from Lee Arena in Topeka, Kan.
The Mules defeated the Fort Hays State Tigers by a final score of 41-31 on Saturday, Feb. 1, inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.
With the win, its UCM's first victory allowing 31 points or less since they defeated the Northwest Missouri Bearcats by a final score of 33-31 in Warrensburg during the 1948-49 season.
This is the 119th season of Central Missouri Basketball as the Mules are the third winningest program in Division II with 1,774 victories having won two NCAA Men's National Championships (1984 & 2014) and four National Championships (1937 & 1938 NAIB) overall.

ON THE AIR

Saturday's game will be broadcasted on 1450 KOKO and warrensburgradio.com with Voice of the Mules Greg Hassler on the call with coverage beginning at 3:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon inside Lee Arena in Topeka.
Saturday's contest will also be available on a pay-per-view basis through the MIAA Network with coverage beginning at 3:00 p.m. Saturday.

MEET THE MULES

Adam Bohac enters his second season as head coach of the Mules after finishing last season with a 13-15 overall record including 8-14 in the MIAA highlighted by two All-Conference performers in Tim Jordan Jr. (Honorable Mention) and Jordan Hayes (All Defensive Team).
The Mules are coming into the 2024-25 campaign with seven of their 14 student-athletes having never stepped on the court for UCM.
Central Missouri returns six players from last year's team including guard Corey Skillman Jr. while returning forwards Tim Jordan Jr., Jack Chapman, Yafet Haile, Noah Martin, and Josh Nwankwo.
The Mules brought in Division I transfer KJ Lee (Western Illinois), plus, Division II additions in DeAirius Barker (Charleston), Eain Mowat (Southern Nazarene), and Elijah Farr (Lincoln).
Central Missouri added three freshmen in guards Kyran Tilley (Louisville, Ky.) and Jake Fritz (Overland Park, Kan.), plus, forward Kyree Polk (Denver, Colo.).

LAST TIME OUT

The Central Missouri Mules (11-10, 6-6 MIAA) defeated the Fort Hays State Tigers (13-7, 6-5 MIAA) by a final score of 41-31 on Saturday, Feb. 1, inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center.
The Mules led by 15 at the break holding FHSU to just 12 percent shooting from the floor as Kansas City, Mo. native Elijah Farr (13 points, five boards, and two assists overall) led the way with 11 points and five rebounds.
Central Missouri picked up their 11th win on the year in the second half limiting the Tigers to 20 percent from the floor including 1-of-15 from beyond the arc and winning the rebounding battle 36-33 highlighted by eight rebounds apiece from forwards Josh Nwankwo (10 points and two assists) and Jack Chapman (two points).
Guard DeAirius Barker contributed 11 points and two rebounds while senior KJ Lee had three points and three assists, plus, Louisville, Ky. native Kyran Tilley had four assists and freshman Jake Fritz added two points and two boards. This is the Mules' first win allowing 31 points or less since a 33-31 home victory over the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri during the 1948-49 season.

UCM BY THE NUMBERS

Through 21 contests this season, the Mules are averaging 62.8 points per game while shooting 42.1 percent from the field, including 32.7 percent from beyond the arc and 71.7 percent from the charity stripe.
Central Missouri is averaging 31.8 rebounds, 10.8 assists, 7.6 steals, and 2.8 blocks per contest so far this season.
The Mules are paced offensively by senior DeAirius Barker who averages 12.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. The Cincinnati, Ohio native has recorded double-digit scoring in 14 games this season including a career-high 35 against Illinois-Springfield (Nov. 26) going 10-of-16 from the floor and 5-of-8 from behind the arc.
Kansas City, Mo. native Elijah Farr leads Central Missouri with 124 total rebounds and 17 blocks on the year averaging six boards per contest adding 8.7 points while being the lone player to start all 21 games this season. The senior has recorded back-to-back double-double performances on the year including 18 points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high five steals outing against Northwest Missouri (Jan. 25) in a 70-53 victory inside Bearcat Arena marking their first win in Maryville since February of 2012.
Senior Jack Chapman tops the Mules shooting 52.1 percent from the floor going 50-of-96 overall including 8-of-28 from beyond the arc scoring 125 points and grabbing 87 rebounds while recording four double-digit scoring performances highlighted by an 18-point outing against Tabor (Dec. 1).
Louisville, Ky. native Kyran Tilley has started 17 games for the Mules averaging 9.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game while adding a team-best 47 assists highlighted by 12 double-digit scoring performances including a season and game-high 21 points against Fort Hays State (Dec. 5).
O'Fallon, Mo. native KJ Lee averages 4.3 points and 3.1 boards per contest with three double-digit scoring performances on the year including a season-best 17 points against Bemidji State (Nov. 8).
Sophomore Tim Jordan Jr. is fourth on the team with 179 points averaging 8.5 points per contest adding 63 boards and 19 assists in 21 games this season highlighted by 10 double-digit outings including a season-high 19 against Maryville (Nov. 13).
After being sidelined last season due to injury, forward Josh Nwankwo averages 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while collecting a team-high 35 steals. The Oklahoma City, Okla. native is one of five Mules to appear in all 21 contests in 2024-25 highlighted by a pair of 20-point outings against Emporia State (Jan. 2) and Newman (Jan. 16).
Freshman Jake Fritz has appeared in 18 games this season averaging five points and 2.3 boards per contest while scoring double-figures in five games including a season-best 13 against Texas Permian Basin (Dec. 17).

SERIES HISTORY VS. No. 1 WASHBURN

Saturday afternoon's contest in Topeka will be the 110th all-time meeting between the Ichabods and Central Missouri dating back to the 1911-12 season with Washburn leading the series 56-53 overall including 35-30 in Topeka.
No. 2 Washburn won 70-52 over the Mules on Saturday, Dec. 21, inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center as UCM was led by Jake Fritz' 12 points while forward Elijah Farr and Overland Park, Kan. native Jack Chapman added eight points each.

UP NEXT FOR THE MULES

Central Missouri continues MIAA play on the road against the Northeastern State RiverHawks (13-7, 7-4 MIAA) Thursday, Feb. 13, with tip-off slated for 7:30 p.m. inside NSU Event Center in Tahlequah, Okla.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Jordan Hayes: G; 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior

#10 Jack Chapman: G/F; 6' 7"; Senior

#13 Yafet Haile: F; 6' 9"; Senior

#2 Tim Jordan Jr.: F; 6' 6"; Sophomore

#21 Noah Martin: F; 6' 7"; Sophomore

#22 Josh Nwankwo: F; 6' 6"; Junior

#11 Corey Skillman Jr.: G; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#0 DeAirius Barker: G; 6' 0"; Senior

#3 KJ Lee: G; 6' 7"; Senior

#4 Kyran Tilley: G; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#5 Jordan Hayes
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior
: G

#10 Jack Chapman
: 6' 7"; Senior
: G/F

#13 Yafet Haile
: 6' 9"; Senior
: F

#2 Tim Jordan Jr.
: 6' 6"; Sophomore
: F

#21 Noah Martin
: 6' 7"; Sophomore
: F

#22 Josh Nwankwo
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F

#11 Corey Skillman Jr.
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: G

#0 DeAirius Barker
: 6' 0"; Senior
: G

#3 KJ Lee
: 6' 7"; Senior
: G

#4 Kyran Tilley
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: G