Vincent Ateba led the Lions (16-6, 6-6 MIAA) with 20 points, going 8-10 from the field and 4-5 from the free-throw line. Ateba added four rebounds and two assists. Skyler Bowlin scored 17 points, while DaRell Crittendon added 14 on 6-11 shooting.

Sainjay Watts had another strong game against the Lions, scoring 22 points on 9-15 shooting. Watts scored 30 points in the Mules' (16-3, 9-3 MIAA) loss earlier in the season in Joplin.

A three pointer from Bowlin with 5:25 left in the first half gave Southern a 20-19 lead. The Mules, however, ended the half on a 15-11 run to go up by three (34-31) at the half.

The Lions trailed by three (65-62) after two free-throws from Ateba with 2:12 left to go in the game. A pair of free-throws from Central's Joe Young, however, capped a 10-2 run that gave the Mules an 11 point lead (75-64) with 29 seconds left to go in the game. Central was 7-8 from the free-throw line in the final minute of the game to put away the win.

The Lions shot 52 percent from the field and 82 percent from the free-throw line, but hit just 18 percent of their shots from beyond the arc. The Mules, on the other hand, hit 55 percent from the field, 50 percent from long-range and 75 percent from the charity stripe.

Southern forced 11 turnovers, scoring 15 points off the miscues and stole the ball four times. The game was tied four times and the lead changed hands 11 times.

The Lions will be back in action this Saturday, January 31 playing host to ninth ranked Southwest Baptist in a 7:30 pm tip. The Lions fell 105-65 earlier in the season in Bolivar.