(EMPORIA, Kan., — The 24th-ranked Central Missouri Mules had their three-game winning streak snapped with a 95-77 loss to Emporia State on Saturday night at White Auditorium.

The Mules (13-3, 5-2 MIAA) struggled offensively early on as the Hornets (11-6, 4-3 MIAA) built an early 10-point lead. The Mules battled back to within three at 24-21 with 7:04 left in the first half, but the Hornets answered with a 9-2 run to push the lead back to 10 at 33-23 with 5:23 left in the opening period.

Charles Hammork’s jumper with just under five minutes to play seemed to ignite the Mules and they ended the half on a 16-7 run to pull within 40-39 at halftime.

The Mules took their first lead of the game early in the second half on a Dillon Deck layup, but the Hornets came right back to grab the lead on the next possession. The Mules took their final lead of the night, 43-42, on another Deck layup. ESU went on a 14-7 spurt to regain a six point lead, 56-50, with 13:09 on the clock.

The Mules got back to within four at 61-57, but a 15-6 run gave ESU a 76-63 lead with 5:33 left in the game. UCM would get no closer than 11 the rest of the way as the Hornets captured the win.

Deck led three Mules in double figures with 19 points. Daylen Robinson had 17 points, while Hammork chipped in 16.

UCM was 29 of 62 from the field for 47 percent, including 6 of 17 from three-point range for 35 percent. The Mules were just 13 of 22 at the foul line for 59 percent.

Emporia State shot 56 percent from the field, 32 of 57, including 10 of 20 three-pointers for 50 percent. The Hornets made 21 of 28 at the charity stripe for 75 percent.

ESU was led in scoring by Kaleb Wright’s 33 points and 15 rebounds. Terrence Moore finished with 19 and Gavin Brown chipped in 12.

The Mules are back home on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. hosting Missouri Western at the Multi. A pay-per-view, student-run webcast is available from the UCM Media Network. The webcast can be accessed at AmericaOneSports.com or through the Live Video links on UCMathletics.com.