(WARRENSBURG, Mo.) — The fourth-ranked Mules overcame a slow start and rolled to an 81-59 win over Culver-Stockton on Monday night at the UCM Multipurpose Building. The Mules are now 10-0 as they head into a pair of MIAA games this weekend.
The Wildcats (6-5) opened the game on a 16-3 run in the first 4:55. Three straight layups by Dillon Deck pulled UCM (10-0) to within seven at 16-9 and he added an and one free throw to make it 16-10 with 13:06 to play in the first half.
UCM got to within one at 22-21 on a three-pointer from Preston Brunz, but four straight points by Travon Mitchell pushed the Culver-Stockton lead back to five at 26-21. The Mules then went on an 18-0 run to take the lead for good and went into the intermission leading 39-27.
Central Missouri opened the second half on an 11-0 run and the lead ballooned to 50-27 with 16:45 to play in the game. The Mules pushed the lead to as many as 29 at 74-45 on a Donte Adams three with 7:04 to play in the game. Culver-Stockton got back to within 21, but UCM cruised to the 22-point win.
The win was the 16th straight for UCM dating back to last year and the 33rd straight win at home.
Adams and Deck led UCM with 16 points apiece. TJ White added 13 off the bench and Brad Woodson finished with 10. Deck also added seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
The Mules shot 54 percent from the field, going 29-of-53. They were 8-of-20 from three-point range for 40 percent and 15-of-23 at the free throw line for 65 percent. The Mules had 12 assists, but did turn it over 15 times. UCM out-rebounded CSC 41-28, held a 36-16 advantage in points in the paint and a 55-26 edge in bench scoring.
Mitchell led Culver-Stockton with a game-high 19 points. The Wildcats were 19-of-56 from the field for 33 percent and 9-of-25 from beyond the arc for 36 percent. They made 12-of-17 at the charity stripe for 70 percent.
The Mules are back in action on Thursday night hosting Central Oklahoma (9-2, 2-0 MIAA) at 7:30 p.m. at the Multipurpose Building.