Mules basketball opened the 2018 basketball season with two victories in the Central Region Tipoff Classic over Harding on Friday and Wayne State Saturday at the Multipurpose Building.

In the first game against Harding, the Mules were in complete control from the opening tip. Central Missouri stormed out to a 7-0 lead behind five points from junior guard Matt Wilkinson forcing Harding to take an early timeout. Despite the interruption, the Mules continued their pace and led 15-1 after six minutes.

The Bison offense struggled mightily in the first half and endured a 4:03 scoring drought to end the first half and trailed 45-19.

The Mules were outscored by the Bison in the second half but cruised to a 82-57 victory on opening night at home.

Five Mules were in double figures and all 11 players that logged minutes made it in the scoring column. Freshman forward Gavin Pinkley’s first game as a Mule couldn’t have gone better: He went 6-6 from the field for 14 points and pulled in 10 rebounds for a double-double.

Photo by Erica Oliver/Assistant Photo Editor

Sophomore guard Daniel Farris dribbling up court in the Mules 82-57 win over Harding Friday at the Multipurpose Building. Farris scored 13 points in the win.

In the second game of the tournament, the Mules were challenged by a Wayne State team that scored 95 points in a win over Pittsburg State Friday.

The Mules fell behind early after the Wildcats went on a 13-2 run to lead 18-8 early. The lead hovered around 15 for most of the first half until the Mules were able to put together a 13-3 run in the final five minutes to trail 36-31.

The Wildcats opened the second half with a quick 7-1 spurt to push the lead back to double digits at 43-32. The Mules responded immediately with a 13-2 run to tie the game at 45 on a three from junior guard Blake Spellman. The Mules gained the lead for the first time since the early minutes of the game after junior guard James Byrd turned his own steal into a fast-break layup and the Mules led 47-45.

From there, the Mules only lost the lead once and quickly gained it back. The Wildcats stayed within six points for the remainder of the contest but couldn’t close the gap as the Mules won 73-67.

Spellman and senior guard Jafar Kinsey led the Mules with 16 points apiece, including three triples each. Senior forward Jakob Lowrance flirted with a double-double, scoring 12 points to go with nine rebounds. For the second straight game, each Mule that played scored points.

The Mules host another tournament this weekend in the Fairfield Inn Classic. Arkansas Tech, Illiniois-Springfield and William Jewell join the Mules in a four-team field. The Mules first opponent is William Jewell. Tip is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday at the Multipurpose Building.