WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The (Receiving Votes) Central Missouri Mules (19-7, 10-4 MIAA) defeated the Northeastern State Riverhawks (12-11, 5-9 MIAA) by a final score of 92-65, Thursday, Feb. 12, during We Back Pat Night, inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.     
 
The Riverhawks opened the contest on a 15-5 run, but Central Missouri answered with a 9-2 run of their own, highlighted by seven points from Kyran Tilley. The reigning MIAA Freshman of the Year posted 18 points, connecting on 6-of-9 from the floor in the opening 20 minutes of play as the Mules led by nine at the break.
 
The Mules never relinquished the lead, en route to their 10^th win in MIAA play, improving their record to 9-1 inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center on the year as Tilley finished the contest with a game-high 25 points, highlighted by a career-best four triples, adding two steals for good measure.
 
Four Mules finished in double-figures, including 21 points on 8-of-15 from the field and a game-high seven assists from Lincoln, Neb. native Lazerek Houston, while junior Jevon Hill had 14 points, six rebounds, and two steals in the winning effort.
 
Freshman Trinell Parker had 12 points, six boards, and a career-best two steals, as Central Missouri out-rebounded the Riverhawks 32-31 on the night, thanks to four boards and two points from Kyree Polk.
 
The Mules outscored Northeastern State in three offensive categories, including points in the paint (38-24), off turnovers (20-11), and bench points (20-17) as junior Judah Sault had six points while Noah Martin (three rebounds) and AJ Lux (career-high three blocks and two boards) had five points each.
 
The Mules continue MIAA play on Saturday, Feb. 14, as they host No. 25 Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions (18-5, 9-5 MIAA), during Mo's Maniacs Youth Day, with tip-off slated for 1:00 p.m. inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.