Mules Basketball: Nwankwo Leads Mules Basketball Past Emporia State, 72-69

The Central Missouri Mules (7-6, 2-2 MIAA) defeated the Emporia State Hornets (4-8, 1-2 MIAA) by a final score of 72-69 on Thursday, Jan. 2, inside White Auditorium in Emporia, Kan.

The Mules led by three at the break highlighted by Oklahoma City, Okla. native Josh Nwankwo's (season-high 20 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals overall) 10 points, going 4-of-7 from the field including 2-of-4 from beyond the arc adding two rebounds for good measure.

Nwankwo opened the scoring in the second half as UCM led by as many as 14, but the Hornets rallied late cutting the deficit to one, but thanks to a pair of free throws from guard Jake Fritz (four points overall) with four seconds remaining the Mules hold on for the victory making it their first in Emporia since January of 2018.

Three players for Central Missouri scored in double-figures including senior DeAirius Barker (13 points and four rebounds) and Louisville, Ky. native Kyran Tilley (12 points, season-high six rebounds, and three assists) en route to their seventh win of the season.

The Mules outscored ESU in numerous offensive categories including points in the paint (14-8), bench points (9-3), and in second chance (8-2) led by forward Kyree Polk's season-best four points and season-high four boards while senior KJ Lee (four rebounds) and guard Corey Skillman Jr. (three rebounds) added three points each.

Central Missouri out-rebounded the Hornets by a margin of 41-33 on the night thanks to a team-high six boards from Kansas City, Mo. native Elijah Farr who added seven points, a career-best three blocks, and three assists while forward Jack Chapman (six points) grabbed four rebounds and sophomore Tim Jordan Jr. collected three boards.

Central Missouri returns to the court on Thursday, Jan. 9, as they continue MIAA play hosting the Northwest Missouri Bearcats (4-8, 1-2 MIAA) with tip-off slated for 7:30 p.m. inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.