Mules basketball weathered the storm that was their top returning scorer being sidelined due to an injury and went 1-2 over the Thanksgiving week, for a 5-2 overall record going into conference play.

The loss of senior forward Jakob Lowrance set the tone for what was already going to be a difficult stretch. The Mules dropped their first game of the week Monday in overtime to Sioux Falls.

It wasn’t easy for the Mules in St. Louis as they competed in the UMSL Thanksgiving Classic over the weekend. The Mules escaped the first day, coming from behind to defeat Maryville 83-76 Friday. The University of Missouri – St. Louis proved to be too much for the Mules as they fell 84-74 Saturday. UMSL out rebounded the Mules 39-23 and shot 54 percent from the field.

Senior guard Jafar Kinsey was the Mules leading scorer in both games scoring 23 against UMSL and 18 against Maryville. Junior guards Blake Spellman and Matt Wilkinson eclipsed double-figure scoring in both games. Sophomore guard Daniel Farris has scored in double figures in his last three games and is averaging 9.3 points per game this season.

The Mules conference schedule begins with road matchups against Southwest Baptist and Washburn. Tipoff between the Mules and Southwest Baptist is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Bolivar, Missouri.