Bulldogs Defeated by Mules, 63-59

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Site: Kirksville, Mo. (Pershing Arena)
Score: Central Missouri 63, Truman 59
Records: Truman (6-10, 3-4 MIAA), Central Missouri (12-3, 6-1 MIAA)
Next Truman Event: Thursday, January 24 – vs. Nebraska-Kearney (7:30 pm; Kirksville)

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - - A 7-2 game-closing run by the visiting Central Missouri Mules halted a Truman comeback effort on Saturday afternoon in Pershing Arena, as the Bulldog men's basketball team fell 63-59 in a back-and-forth affair.

The two squads accounted for nine ties and 11 lead changes after the Mules carried a 27-20 lead into the intermission. Truman (6-10, 3-4 MIAA) trailed by as many as 10 with 16 minutes to play in the game but rattled off a 12-1 run to take a 34-33 advantage with 12:10 on the clock.

The squads played close basketball, with neither team leading by more than three until the 5:48 mark when junior Mike Carlson completed an old-fashioned three-point play to give the 'Dogs a 53-48 edge.

Following a Mule layup, a pair of free throws by sophomore Seth Jackson pushed the lead to five again at the 5:38 check before three straight buckets pushed the Mules back ahead by one, 56-55, with 4:01 to play.

Truman's last lead would come on its next possession, as freshman Jaylon Jones hit a jumper with 3:29 to go, but a pair of free throws, a Truman turnover, and a UCM triple extended the lead to four for the Mules at 61-57.

Jackson would hit a lay-up with 1:41 to play to cut the lead to two, but neither team scored again until a pair of UCM free throws with just four seconds to play gave the guests the 63-59 final.

Carlson led all Bulldogs with a 15-point effort, adding six rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Jackson, meanwhile, chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds in 30 minutes of action. Junior guard Isaac Gardner added nine behind three triples, while senior Tom Norton finished with eight points.

Norton hit 1,000 career points with his first shot of the opening half, becoming the 25^th player in program history to reach the century mark.

For the game, the Bulldogs shot 21-of-57 (36.8%) from the floor and just 6-of-25 (24%) from three-point range. Truman went 11-of-17 from the free throw line, with Jackson striking a perfect 8-for-8.

Truman committed five fewer turnovers but was out-rebounded by five overall. The Bulldogs held a 9-8 edge on the offensive glass.

The Bulldogs return to action on Thursday night (Jan. 24) by hosting MIAA-newcomer Nebraska-Kearney. Tipoff against the Lopers is set for 7:30 pm in Pershing Arena.

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