The Mules earned their first MIAA win of the season Thursday as they took down the Missouri Western State Griffons 67-51 at home. 

Jakob Lowrance scored a career-high 28 points as the Mules improved to 8-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

Game Summary:

• The Mules shot 53.3 percent from the floor (24-45) and limited the Griffons (3-8, 1-3 MIAA) to 35.8 percent for the night on 19-53 shooting. The Mules also forced 16 turnovers, which they converted to 15 points.

• UCM used two scoring runs in the first half to help establish a 15 point lead by halftime. The Mules did commit eight first half turnovers, but won the rebound battle 19-10.

• The Mules shot the ball well in the first half going 14-24 from the floor for 58.3 percent, while limiting the Griffons to 8-27 (29.6 percent). Both teams had just two made triples, but Griffons took six more attempts than the Mules, 10-4.

• MWSU led 13-12 with 11:39 to play in the half, but a 9-0 run by UCM changed the pace of the game. MWSU never led the rest of the game, while UCM continued to push the tempo on offense.

• Lowrance was a force in the paint in the first 20 minutes scoring 12 points on 5-6 shooting (83.3 percent) and UCM outscored MWSU 22-6 in the paint as well. DJ Richardson was not far behind Lowrance scoring nine in the first half.

• It took some time to get a double-digit lead for the Mules as they got up by 10, 26-16, with 4:26 left to play in the half. Lavon Hightower got the Griffons within seven with a three on the next possession, but an 8-0 run to close out the half help the Mules get back in front going into the break.

• UCM extended its 8-0 run from the end of the first half into 12-0 in the start of the second frame. Lowrance continued to dominate for the Mules scoring 16 second half points en route to his career night.

• The Mules run from the first into the second help them establish their largest of the night at 19 points with 17:45 to play. Trailing 38-21, the Griffons used a 10-2 run to get within nine, 40-31, with just over 13:30 to play in regulation.

• UCM extended its back to double digits, 45-32, with 11:19 to play thanks to a triple by Lowrance and a jumper in the paint by Richardson. Both teams struggled to score as the game was knotted at 45-32 over the next two minutes.

• Spencer Reaves was fouled on a drive with 8:43 left on the clock, setting him up for two free throws that he nailed to give the Mules a 47-32 to end the scoring drought. Both teams went back and forth in the final eight minutes.

• The Griffons got their deficit to under double-digits one last time, trailing 60-51 with 2:01 to play. They were down 57-41 with 4:40 left to play and used a 10-3 run to make one last push against the Mules.

• The run was too little too late as UCM put up seven points in the final two minutes and held the griffons scoreless to walk away with the 16 point win.

• MWSU trailed UCM by just nine, 60-51, with 2:01 remaining in the game, but a 7-0 UCM run to close out the game ended any hopes of a comeback. A corner three by Clarence Smith with 62 seconds to play was the dagger as the Mules held on for the win.

Mules Stat Leaders

• Lowrance finished the night going 11-13 from the floor for his 28 points. He was 2-3 from beyond the arc and pulled down nine rebounds.

• Richardson had 14 points on the night for UCM and shot 50 percent from the floor (4-8). He finished 5-6 from the charity strip.

• Spellman chipped in 10 points and handed out four assists. He also finished 50 percent from the floor on 4-8 shooting and grabbed three rebounds.

• Reaves was second on the team in rebounds with six.

For the Griffons

• Hightower was the only MWSU players to score in double figures with 11 points. He was just 3-12 from the floor, but went 4-6 at the free throw line. He also led the team in rebounds with six and had two steals on the night.

• Seth Bonifas scored eight points on 4-6 shooting and grabbed four rebounds for the Griffons.

• Trey Brown also chipped in eight points and dished out two assists.

News and Notes

• Lowrance’s career-high 28 points surpasses in former mark of 26 points which he scored in the Mules season-opening win against Minnesota-Duluth back onNov. 10. It is just his third 20-point game in his time with the Mules.

• The Mules improve to 37-28 all-time against the Griffons and are winners in 11 of the last 12 games against them. The Mules are 22-7 against the Griffons at the Multipurpose Building.

• UCM is now 36-26 in MIAA play under Doug Karleskint.

• The Mules are 2-0 this season following a loss.

Up Next

• The Mules will stay in-state as they head to Bolivar Saturday to take on the Southwest Baptist Bearcats. Tip-off against SBU is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. following the Jennies game.