Southern (5-8, 0-4) was down by as many as 11 in the first half, but a layup from Hunter cut the lead to eight at the half for the Mules. After sitting out for nearly a month after injuring his ankle on December 9 against Truman, Hunter led the Lions in scoring in the half with 12 points and seven rebounds.

A three to start the second half from Stanley Titsworth (Muskogee, Okla.) cut the lead to five. A layup from Deonte Cox (St. Louis, Mo.) again brought the lead to five. Two free throws from Hunter cut the lead to three with 12:56 left in the second half and a three from Daniel Hurst (Hot Springs, Ark.) would make the deficit just two with 10:53 left.

Central (13-0, 4-0 MIAA) pushed the lead to five at 64-59 with nine minutes left and went on a 24-11 run to end the game, putting away the Lions for Southern's fifth loss in a row.

Hunter led all scorers with 23 points and 15 rebounds. Both are career highs for the senior. Coming into the game, Hunter had scored just 34 points and had 14 total rebounds. Titsworth had 12 points, while TJ Britton pulled down 11 boards. Cox and Tyler Ryerson (Willard, Mo.) added 8 points apiece.

Southern out rebounded Central 43-39 and had 20 second chance points to the Mules' 15. Central led the entire game.

The Lions will be back in action this Wednesday night, playing host to Northwest Missouri at 7:30 pm in Leggett & Platt.