The Mules beat the Hillcats 77-64 on Jan.23, in the Multipurpose Building at UCM. The Mules move to a record of 5-8, and the Hillcats are now 6-6. The Mules played well on defense in the first half with plenty of blocks and steals. The Hillcats fought to get points on the scoreboard in the first half, but the Mules stopped the team from reaching the basket. The Mules ended the Hillcats’ four game winning streak. 

  Junior guard Garrett Luinstra led the Mules with 13 points, junior forward Mohammed Abubakar had two blocks and junior guard Dillion Blain had six rebounds. Blain has led the team in rebounding in back-to-back games. The Mules finished the game making 26/57 field goals, 12/29 three-pointers and made 13/17 free throws. The team scored 27 points off of Hillcats turnovers. The Mules had 12 three-pointers in the game, which is the most this season. The Mules finished with a season-low six turnovers. 

  The Hillcats had a 8-0 run at the 12 minute mark to take a 13-8 lead. Senior guard Devin Plumm led the Hillcats with 13 points, junior center Joey Saracco had two steals and senior guard Darraja Parnell had 10 rebounds and three assists. The Hillcats finished the game making 19/48 field goals, 7/23 three-pointers and 19/23 free throws. They had 17 turnovers, which the Mules took advantage of by scoring more points.