Central Loses Heartbreaker in Regional Final

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (UCM Media Relations) -- Central Missouri's bid for a third regional title in the last four years came up short Tuesday night with a 60-59 setback to host and top-seed Midwestern State in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional title game. The loss in Wichita Falls, Texas, ends the Mules' season with a 27-4 record.

The Mules got off to a slow start, falling behind 16-2 in the title clash, but used a 23-1 run in the final minutes of the first half and at the start of the second half to grab the lead. UCM had a six-point advantage late in the game, only to see the hosts battle back themselves to pick up the win and earn the regional spot in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.

Sanijay Watts led the Mules with 29 points and nine rebounds, and became just the seventh player in program history to score at least 1,000 points and pull down at least 500 rebounds. Watts and Alex Moosmann, who finished with 13 points, were both named to the All-Tournament Team.