Mules light up Vikings, 96-63
Dec 1, 2008, 2:54 PM
WARRENSBURG, Mo. -– The Central Missouri Mules moved to 5-0 heading into MIAA play with a 96-63 thumping of Missouri Valley on Saturday night in the UCM Multipurpose Building. They used a 40-13 run over the final eight minutes of the first half to cruise in the outing.
Central Missouri never trailed in the game despite leading by only three with 9:19 left in the opening period. By the 6:03 mark, it was a double-digit advantage, and it would never be less than that the rest of the night. UCM used turnovers to go on a run to end the half, totaling 20 points off miscues to make it a 54-26 total at the break.
Junior guard Alex Moosmann powered the offense with 14 points in the stanza while classmate Tremaine Luellen and senior De’Andre Byrd each had nine in the period. UCM shot 52.6 percent while out-rebounding the Vikings 22-11. UCM also used 16 second-chance points off 11 offensive boards to push ahead.
Central Missouri would push the lead to as many as 32 with 11:29 left in the second stanza as Esian Henderson scored 12 of his career-high 14 points in the period. It is the second consecutive game he has set a career-high. Luellen also had 10 points and six boards in the half.
The Mules cruised in the stanza, out-scoring the Vikings 42-37. They also tallied 14 assists in the half.
Central Missouri shot 50.7 percent for the game and finished with the highest point total of the season.
Luellen finished the night with 19 points and 10 rebounds on 8-of-12 shooting. It was the first double-double for the Mules since March of last season. Moosmann and Henderson each finished with 14 and Joe Young scored eight in the second half to tally 11.
The Mules will head to Bolivar, Mo. on Tuesday to face No. 7 Southwest Baptist at 7:30 p.m. to start MIAA play.
