LAKELAND, Fla. – No. 19 Central Missouri Mules (0-2, 0-0 MIAA) fell to No. 8 Cal State East Bay Pioneers (2-0, 0-0 CCAA) by a final score of 64-62 on Sunday, Nov. 8, during the final game of the 2026 Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, hosted by Florida Southern University, inside Jenkins Fieldhouse.
The Mules held a six-point advantage at halftime and led by as many as 12 in the second half, but Cal State East Bay responded, taking a two-point lead with 2:33 remaining in the ballgame.
Thanks to a jumper from sophomore
Trinell Parker (10 points and eight rebounds overall), Central Missouri tied the ballgame on the ensuing possession, but the Pioneers made a pair of free throws, regained the lead, and made a defensive stand, earning their second win of the season.
Guard
CJ Evans led all scorers in the ballgame with 20 points on 8-of-10 from the field, including a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe, adding four steals and three rebounds.
Central Missouri outscored the Pioneers on points in the paint (34-32) and second-chance points (14-4), as
AJ Lux posted nine points, four rebounds, and a career-best three steals, while
Kye Dickson had eight points and three boards in the ballgame.
Aurora, Colo. native
Kyree Polk contributed six points and four rebounds, while
Carter Kaifes posted six boards, adding five points, and guard
Jack Reddick had four points and three assists as the Mules shot 47.9 percent from the field.
No. 19 Central Missouri continues the 2026-27 season on Friday, Nov. 13, as they take on the Southern Arkansas Muleriders (0-0, 0-0 GAC) in the opening game of the Tulsa Tip-Off Classic at 2:30 p.m. inside the Union Multipurpose Activity Center.
