WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The (Receiving Votes) Central Missouri Mules (18-7, 9-4 MIAA) defeated No. 1 Washburn Ichabods (22-1, 12-1 MIAA) by a final score of 74-72, Saturday, Feb. 7, inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.     
 
Central Missouri led by two at the break, thanks to a buzzer-beating triple from Kyran Tilley (nine points and four assists overall), and never relinquished the lead en route to their second top-five win of the season, and first time beating the top team in the country since Dec. 7, 2019, when the Mules defeated Northwest Missouri 72-60 in Warrensburg.
 
Three Mules ended the game with double-digit scoring performances, including a game-high 31 points from guard Lazerek Houston. Houston, a native of Lincoln, Neb., ended the game shooting 10-of-19 from the floor, including a season-best seven made triples, adding a game-high seven assists and three rebounds for good measure.
 
Junior Jevon Hill had 14 points, a career-high nine rebounds, a career-best three steals, a career-best three blocks, and two assists, while guard Jake Fritz added 13 points on 5-of-8 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc with three boards.
 
Freshman Trinell Parker had four points and two rebounds, while Kyree Polk grabbed six boards as Central Missouri out-rebounded the Ichabods 30-27 on the glass in the winning effort.
 
The Mules continue MIAA play on Thursday, Feb. 12, as they host the Northeastern State Riverhawks (12-10, 5-8 MIAA), with tip-off slated for 7:30 p.m. inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.