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Mules finish non-conference schedule with home victory over Avila

De'Andre Byrd fashioned a season-high 14 points for the Mules

De’Andre Byrd sparked the Central Missouri Mules performance on both ends of the floor and helped them roll to an 89-57 win over Avila University (Mo.) Saturday afternoon in the final tune-up before MIAA play. He tallied a career-high 14 points along with five assists and five steals in the outing.

The Mules (7-2) grabbed an early 7-0 lead and never looked back as the defense didn’t allow an Eagle bucket until five minutes had gone off the clock. The game-opening run got to as much as 19-6, and UCM didn’t let the advantage drop below double-digits the rest of the day. Central Missouri forced 15 turnovers in the period and went into the half with a 41-21 lead.

Tremaine Luellen led the balanced attack with eight points at the break while Tyler Richardson hit for six points, four assists, and two steals. The Mules hit only 39 percent from the floor but scored 16 points off turnovers and hit seven threes.

Central Missouri came out in the next period on fire, getting the margin to 35 in the first six minutes. Byrd had four of his five steals in the 25-8 run. 15 players got time in the game, including 13 that scored points and had double-digit minutes.

The Mules shot a blistering 56 percent in the period and had 21 more points off turnovers (37 total). They forced Avila into 28 miscues on the day while holding them to 37 percent from the floor. UCM also got out and ran in the game, scoring 18 fast-break points and nabbing 18 steals.

Luellen finished with 13 points while Josiah Miller tallied a career-high 10 points on the day. Kevin Wollbrinck pulled down eight rebounds to lead UCM in that category.