Box score | Season stats

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The #24 SBU Bearcats fell 72-62 to the #7 Central Missouri Mules in a battle of nationally-ranked rivals. Tomas Brock led the Bearcats (16-5, 7-4 MIAA) with 14 points, while Ivan Cropotov had a career high 11 points. Matt Rogers and Stephen Cotten each had 10 for the 'Cats while Rogers also led with 11 rebounds.

"This was a great environment," said SBU head coach Jeff Guiot. "Their superstars outplayed our superstars. They hit more shots down the stretch. We played well defensively, holding them to 37% shooting, but we just didn't hit the shots we needed to."

Sanijay Watts led the Mules (17-1, 10-1 MIAA) with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Tremaine Luellen added 14 points.

SBU led early before UCM led by 12 points in the first half. Central Missouri led at halftime 35-29. SBU reclaimed the lead at 41-39 on a trey by Brock with 12:35 left. Over the next four minutes the teams would stay close, with UCM regaining the lead 50-49 with 8:34 left. A three from Kurt Koenig cut the Mules' lead to 62-60 with just under three minutes left, but UCM answered quickly on trey from Luellen and later a trey from Alex Moosman.

The Bearcats made seven from long distance while the Mules made eight three-pointers.  SBU held the Mules to 37% from the field, but were held to 39% by the Mules.

Rogers moved into first place all-time on the SBU career list for free throws made with 382, surpassing Donniel Harrell (1972-76).

SBU returns to action one week from tonight (January 30) when they host the Missouri Southern Lions at 7:30 p.m. SBU defeated MSSU 83-67 on December 9 in Joplin.