The Central Missouri Mules built a double digit second half lead then withstood a late charge from Southwest Baptist to win 75-70. The Mules led by as many as 12 in the second half only to see the Bearcats trim the lead to three in the final minute.

The defending MIAA champions got a career night from center Keane Thomann and the Missouri Southern State University Lions defeated the Truman Bulldogs 89-43 in the conference opener. Thomann scored 31 points to pace the Lions while the Bulldogs were led by Seth Jackson’s 11.

A one-point halftime lead for Northwest Missouri State quickly turned into a seven-point deficit at home against Emporia State, but the undefeated Bearcats didn’t panic and came away with a 68-63 to improve to 6-0 at Bearcat Arena in Maryville, MO.