WARRENSBURG —The Central Missouri Mules basketball team picked up their fourth consecutive win with a 70-64 victory over No. 23 Missouri Western. Five Mules finished in double-figures led by Cameron Hunter with 16.
It was a slow start to both offenses as Missouri Western lead UCM 9-7 after five minutes of play.
Down 15-14 at the 11:30 mark, a three-pointer by Gaven Pinkley sparked an 18-2 UCM run that would carry the Mules into the final five minutes of the first half with a 15-point lead over the Griffons.
Missouri Western landed back-to-back threes in the final minutes to finish the half trailing by nine, 34-25.
Central Missouri continued their lead into the second half, leading by five or more points until a 13-2 MWSU brought the Griffons within two points, 61-63 with 3:17 left to play.
A three-point play by MWSU's Will Eames tied the game 64-64 with under a minute to go.
Ja'Cor Nelson made a layup to regain the Mules lead which was followed by a Griffon turnover and a Nelson dunk.
A pair of free-throws by Koray Gilbert capped the game at 70-64 Mules victory.
Missouri Westerns' offense struggled as they finished with their second-lowest field goal percentage of the season at 34.9% (22-63). The Griffons struggled at the foul line, making just 15 of 24 attempts for 62.5%.
However, the Griffons were not the only ones struggling offensively. From the three-point range, UCM recorded it's lowest three-point field goal percentage of the season, landing just 2-16 for 12.5%.
Central Missouri's shooting improved inside the arc as the Mules finished 25-55 from the field for 45.5% and 18-25 from the free-throw line for 72%.
The Mules also saw an advantage at the boards, out-rebounding the Griffons 41-36.
This was UCM's first win over a ranked program this season. The last ranked team the Mules defeated was their 54-52 upset over No. 10 Missouri Southern last season at home.
Mules basketball returns to action Saturday, Jan. 30 to take on the No. 3 Bearcats of Northwest. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in the UCM Multipurpose Building, following the Jennies game.
