Mules Advance to Regional Title Game

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (UCM and FHSU Media Relations) --The No. 7 ranked University of Central Missouri Mules secured a spot in Tuesday night's NCAA-II South-Central Regional title game with an 80-73 victory over No. 14 ranked Fort Hays State in a semi-final round game on Sunday (March 14).

The Mules used the three-point shot to build a 12-point first half advantage, hitting 10-of-17 from beyond the arc.  UCM then extended the margin to as much as 17 early in the second half, but the Tigers would not go down without a fight.  Senior Willie Hassell quickly led the Tigers back into the game with 14 of his 17 points after halftime. He drained a jumper with 5:02 remaining to pull the Tigers within five, but that was the closest the Tigers would get. Dominique Jones, Tim Peintner, and Dijon Smith also reached double figures, each with 12. Corbin Kuntzsch struggled shooting the ball, but led the team in rebounds with 10.

Central Missouri's red hot 3-point shooting was the difference, as they finished 12-of-24 (50 percent) beyond the 3-point line. Fort Hays State was just 5-of-23 (21.7 percent) beyond the arc. Alex Moosmann led Central Missouri with 22 points. He was 4-of-7 beyond the 3-point line. Sanijay Watts added 21 points and Ryan Harris drained five three point field goals on his way to 17 points.

The Tigers finished the season at 23-7 overall. Central Missouri, second-seeded and now 27-3, will play in the regional final against the host and top-seeded Midwestern State on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.  It is the third time in the last four years UCM has advanced to the regional final.