By JACOB WOERTHER
Sports Editor

(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) — Spencer Reaves shot 9-for-11 form the field and 2-for-3 outside the arc Saturday, Feb. 25, during the Mules’ victory over the Gorillas. The victory clinched the No. 2 seed for the Mules in this weekend’s MIAA Tournament.

The Gorillas scored first off a 3-pointer from R.J. Pair and held the lead for the first 9:32 of the game. A triple from Clarence Smith tied the game up at 13-all, but the Gorillas recovered and took charge again. A layup from Reaves with 7:23 left in the first half tipped the score in the Mules’ favor and proved to be the final lead change of the game.

A 13-5 run by the Mules resulted in a seven-point lead with 3:28 until halftime. Colton Pitko, however, drained a three for the Gorillas nearing the end of the half and the Mules led just 36-34 going into the break.

Central took control coming out of halftime, outscoring the Gorillas 27-16 in the first 12:21 of the second half. The spurt produced a 65-52 lead, but the Gorillas mounted one final push. Isaiah Hicks and Elijah Gains knocked down threes to bring the Gorillas within one point of the Mules with just 3:28 left to play.

Despite the Gorilla’s late burst of offense, the Mules held on until the finish. D.J. Richardson and Reaves both splashed a shot from outside the arc to seal the victory for the Mules.

Reave’s 26 points marks a season-high for him. Jakob Lowrance and Marquiez Lawrence also scored in the double digits. Lowrance finished with 16 and Lawrence ended the day with 14. Central shot 26-for-50 from the field, 8-for-17 beyond the arc and 21-for-22 from the free throw line.

The Mules will tipoff at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. They will face the winner of Game 3, which consists of No. 10 seed Emporia State and No. 7 seed Central Oklahoma.