The Mules basketball team lost 79-55 Sunday to Northwest Missouri State at the Multipurpose Building, which was their second loss of the season and their first in MIAA action.

With the loss, the Mules go to 7-2 overall and 0-1 in MIAA play.

Game Summary

• The Mules struggled to make shots in the first 20 minutes of action going 9-24 without any made triples on nine attempts. They finished the game 15-43 from the floor overall for 34.9 percent.

The Bearcats (10-0, 4-0 MIAA) shot the ball well in the first half finishing 62.5 percent (15-24) while going 9-16 from beyond the arc. Their strong first half help them finish the game 29-50 (58 percent), with 11 made threes on 29 attempts.

• UCM scored the first two points of the game, but never led after that point as Justin Pitts scored the next 11 points for NWMSU to grab a 11-2 lead. Brandon Emmertbroke scoring run for UCM with a quick layup off a Spencer Reaves assist with 13:15 left to play.

• The Mules looked to keep it under double-digits, but missed shots continued to hinder them, while the Bearcats continued to push the tempo on offense.

• UCM kept things interesting with 5:57 to play in the half trailing by just five, 22-17, to NWMSU, but the team put up just five points after that, while giving up 18. UCM trailed by 18 going into the break.

• Trailing 40-22 at halftime, the Mules only committed five first half turnovers, and both teams were even in the paint with 12 points apiece. The difference maker was the bench scoring as the Bearcats outscored the Mules 15-2.

• UCM look to cut into the NWMSU lead to start the second half, but managed just six points in the first five minutes. Reaves accounted for four of the Mules six points with a triple and a made free throw.

• The Bearcats maintained a double-digit lead through the whole second half. The closest the Mules got to the Bearcats was with a made three by Reaves with 14:12 to play, making it a 16 point deficit, 50-34.

• NWMSU led by as much as 25 in the second half, but the Mules fought until the end. Jakob Lowrance got it within 19 for UCM with a three at the 5:42 mark to bring the score to 67-48, but a 6-0 NWMSU run made it a 73-48 contest.

• After not making a single three, in the first 20 minutes, UCM made six triples in the second half to finish the night 6-19 from beyond the arc (31.6). It was not enough though as NMWSU walked away with the 24 point win.

• Trailing 67-48 with 5:42 to play, the Mules looked to make one last push against the Bearcats, but a 6-0 run by the Bearcats gave them their largest lead of the night at 25 points, 73-48, and ended any hopes of a comeback.

Mules Stat Leaders

• Reaves was the high scorer for UCM finishing the night with 19 points. He was just 5-13 from the floor, but created opportunities at the free throw line, going 6-8. He was 3-6 from three point range and grabbed five rebounds

• DJ Richardson put 12 points for the Mules and tied the game-high in steals with three.

• Lowrance was the third double figure scorer with 10 points on 4-10 shooting while pulling down six rebounds to tie the game-high.

For the Bearcats

• Justin Pitts scored a game-high 29 points for NWMSU and had just two missed shots of the night (11-13). He was 4-6 from beyond the arc and dished out seven assists while grabbing three steals.

• Chris-Ebou Ndow added 12 points for the Bearcats and grabbed six rebounds as well.

• Ryan Welty chipped in 11 of four made baskets and was 3-4 from three point range.

News and Notes

• The Mules dropped their first MIAA opener under Doug Karleskint and just their second one in the last seven seasons.

• UCM is now 103-22 in MIAA games at the Multipurpose Building.

• The Mules have now dropped six straight games to the Bearcats.

• This is the first game UCM has been held to under 60 points this season.

• Reaves has now scored in double-digits for the fifth consecutive game for UCM. His 19 points on Sunday, puts his career total at 1,030 which is 19th all-time in UCM history.

• Lowrance has 248 career rebounds with UCM and needs just two more to reach 250.

Up Next

• UCM will be back on the hardwood Thursday as MIAA action continues. The Mules and Jennies will host the Missouri Western Griffons at the Multi. Tip-off for the Mules game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.