WICHITA, Kan. – The Central Missouri Mules (14-5, 5-2 MIAA) defeated the Newman Jets (5-11, 1-6 MIAA) by a final score of 96-57, Wednesday, Jan. 14, inside Fugate Gymnasium in Wichita.
The Jets led by six at 21-15 midway through the opening half of play, but Central Missouri responded with a 15-3 run beginning with a pair of free throws from reigning MIAA Freshman of the Year
Kyran Tilley (career-high 10 assists, career-best eight boards, and six points overall) and capped off by a layup from forward
Carter Kaifes (career-high four assists, four rebounds, and four points overall), as UCM had a nine-point advantage at the break.
Freshman
Trinell Parker (16 points and a season-high nine boards overall) opened the second half with a 6-0 run of his own as the Mules never relinquished, picking up their 14
th victory of the season, improving to 5-2 in MIAA play.
Lincoln, Neb. native
Lazerek Houston led the way with a game-high 24 points on 7-of-11 from the field, including a season-best 4-of-6 from three-point range, adding four assists, two rebounds, and two steals for good measure.
Jevon Hill ended the ballgame with 17 points, as the Wichita native connected on 6-of-13 from the field, highlighted by 5-of-11 from beyond the arc, adding two rebounds, while junior
Noah Martin had a career-high 11 points, shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the floor, including 3-of-3 from long range, adding three boards.
Central Missouri shot 48.5 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range, as sophomore
Kyree Polk had a career-best six points and five boards, while
Naz Brown (career-high seven rebounds and two assists),
Jake Fritz (two boards and two assists),
AJ Lux, and
Deshawne Crim ended the game with three points each.
The Mules outscored Newman in four offensive categories, including bench points (30-11), off turnovers (24-9), second chance (20-9), and fast break (13-7), as Cleveland, Tenn. native
Judah Sault recorded his second assist as a Mule in the winning effort.
The Mules continue MIAA play on Saturday, Jan. 17, as they conclude a four-game road trip against the Emporia State Hornets (5-10, 1-5 MIAA), with tip-off slated for 3:30 p.m., inside White Auditorium in Emporia, Kan.
