Southern (16-8, 10-5 MIAA) keeps its same spot at second place in the MIAA standings as losses from SBU and Northwest Missouri keep the MIAA's top three unchanged.

Central (16-8, 9-6 MIAA) moves into a tie with Northwest Missouri, one game back of Southern.

Both teams came out on fire and Central had a one point lead (15-16) after five minutes, when both teams combined to make 13 of their first 20 shots. The Mules hit four three pointers over the first three minutes.

A layup from Octavius Hawkins tied the game at 23 with 8:30 to go in the half, but Central went on a 9-0 run to go up by ten with 3:42 left and eventually pushed its lead to 13 twice, the last on a jumper form Young with 1:48 left. The lead would be eight (39-31) going into the locker room at the half.

The Mules' lead grew to 17 after a three from De'Andre Byrd made the score 60-43 at the 11 minute mark. But, with the lead at 64-50, Central went on a scoreless drought that saw the Mules go nearly six minutes without a made basket. The Lions would chip away nine points off the lead, getting to 64-57 with 4:35 left to play, but couldn't get any closer. Central finished the game on a 14-7 run.

Four Lions scored in double-figures with Vincent Ateba leading the way, scoring 15 points and bringing down eight rebounds. Hawkins had 13 points and nine boards, while Tony Webb and Skyler Bowlin had 12 and 11 points, respectively.

For just the fourth time all season, Southern committed more turnovers than its opponents as the Mules forced 15 Southern turnovers to UCM's 13. Central's Byrd added 17 points and eight rebounds, while Nathan Frazier scored 10.

Southern will play host to Northwest this Saturday at 3 pm and look to complete the season-sweep against the Bearcats. The Lions won 81-77 earlier in the season in Maryville. The top six spots in this year's MIAA Tournament have been secured as Fort Hays and Washburn punching their tickets with wins tonight.