Mules basketball falls 69-64 at Austin Peay in exhibition play

(Clarksville, Tenn.) – The University of Central Missouri Mules basketball squad dropped a 69-64 decision to Division I Austin Peay on Thursday night in exhibition action at the Dunn Center. It was the final tune-up before the regular season gets started next weekend at the Las Vegas High Desert Classic.

Newcomers led the way in the scoring column for the Mules with junior guard Lance Beckwith tallying a team-high 16 points, and junior Boo Hunter putting up 13.

Central Missouri jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the contest, but Austin Peay only let that advantage stand briefly, sprinting back in front and extending it to 12-9 with 14:46 left to play in the opening half. The Mules took the lead 16-13, but the Governors used some UCM turnovers to snag a 12-point advantage with 5:29 left. Central Missouri showed some fight though, and cut it to just 32-30 at the break, thanks to five points by senior guard Bryce Brunz during the 11-1 run.

The Mules got into foul trouble in the opening half with four post players with at least two fouls. Austin Peay shot 13 free throws, while the Mules were 4-of-6 from the foul line. Central Missouri hit 35.5 percent from the floor, while the Governors hit 45.5 percent.

UCM jumped out to a 38-34 advantage early in the second stanza, but back came the Governors on a 14-0 run to take back the lead. APSU stretched its advantage to as many as 12 with 10:55 to play, but the Mules again fought back, chipped away, and tied it at 58 seven minutes later, thanks to nine points from Beckwith during the rally. APSU got the better of the Mules down the stretch, and held them off for the five point win, scoring seven of its final 11 points from the line.

Central Missouri shot only 32.8 percent from the floor, including a 33 percent clip from the three point line (8-of-24). The Governors hit 44 percent, and scored nine more points from the free throw line than UCM. The Mules were better on the glass though, grabbing an 11-rebound advantage in the contest. Senior Manny Richardson led the way with eight rebounds.

The No. 16 Mules will face St. Mary’s (Texas) next Friday in the first regular season action of the season in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. (CST) in both contests, including Saturday’s tilt with No. 18 Central Oklahoma.