MARYVILLE, Mo. – The (Receiving Votes) Central Missouri Mules (13-4, 4-1 MIAA) defeated the Northwest Missouri Bearcats (9-7, 2-3 MIAA) by a final score of 76-72, Wednesday, Jan. 7, inside Bearcat Arena in Maryville.  
 
After taking a four-point lead into the break, the Bearcats led by five with just over five minutes remaining, but Central Missouri responded with an 8-2 run highlighted by four points from the reigning MIAA Freshman of the Year Kyran Tilley (19 points, three assists, two boards, and two steals), taking a 69-68 advantage.
 
Northwest regained the lead with a bucket with 1:49 remaining, but the Mules answered right back with a layup from freshman Trinell Parker (career-high 19 points and seven rebounds), before guard Lazerek Houston (game-best 20 points, season-high 10 boards, and four assists) put the game away with a converted and-one play as Central Missouri improved to 13-4 on the year and 4-1 in MIAA play.
 
With tonight's victory, the Mules have achieved back-to-back wins in Maryville for the first time in over 15 years, when the Mules won 65-61 during the 2009-10 season and 81-68 during the 2010-11 campaign.
 
Central Missouri had four players finish with double figures as sophomore Jake Fritz had 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals as the Mules out-rebounded Northwest by a margin of 46-38, which is a season-best for Adam Bohac's squad as forwards Carter Kaifes (two points) and Noah Martin grabbed three boards each.
 
UCM outscored the Bearcats in three offensive categories, including points in the paint (40-34), in transition (16-3), and off turnovers (9-6), as Wichita, Kan. native Jevon Hill finished the night with a career-high nine rebounds, adding five points in the winning effort.
 
The Mules continue MIAA play on Saturday, Jan. 10, as they take on the (Receiving Votes) Missouri Western Griffons (11-5, 3-2 MIAA), with tip-off slated for 3:30 p.m., inside MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph, Mo.