MARYVILLE, Mo. - The University of Central Missouri Mules scored a 70-53 win over the Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team Saturday at Bearcat Arena.

The Mules avenged a 63-62 home loss to the Bearcats on Jan. 9 by holding Northwest to 39.5% shooting. The Mules forced the Bearcats into 15 turnovers. UCM shot 60.4% from the field by making 29-of-46 shots. UCM out-scored Northwest in the paint, 44-18.

UCM moved to 10-9 overall and 5-5 in MIAA play. Northwest slipped to 4-15 overall and 2-8 in league action. 

The Bearcat offense got going early with three-point makes from Marcus Glock and Emorie Knox. Glock sank a pair of triples in the first seven-plus minutes of the contest and Northwest was even with UCM at 11-11. UCM put together a 9-0 run to take a 20-11 lead with 9:24 to play in the first half. The Mules would eventually close the first half on a 26-9 run to give the visitors a 37-20 advantage at the break. Northwest had 12 turnovers and eight made field goals at the half.

A Knox three-pointer out of the gates in the second half ended up being as close as Northwest would get in the final 20 minutes. Knox's three-pointer cut the UCM lead to 37-23. The Mules would lead by as many as 24 at 59-35 with 10:36 to play in the game.

Knox led the Bearcats with 15 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the floor. Knox buried three three-pointers on six attempts. Ja'Vion Byers also reached double figures in scoring with 10 points off the bench. Byers went 4-of-8 from the field. Padraig Gallagher chipped in with seven points off the bench on 3-of-5 shooting. 

Northwest will travel to St. Joseph, Mo., next Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. tip with the Missouri Western Griffons.

NOTES: UCM had lost nine straight games in Bearcat Arena before today's victory ... Northwest had won eight straight overall in the series between the two schools before the 70-53 setback at Bearcat Arena ... UCM's last win in Bearcat Arena prior to today came Feb. 18, 2012 when the Mules recorded a 76-63 victory over Northwest ... Northwest is one of three NCAA Div. II teams to have not won a home game this year ... University of Mary is 0-9 at home and Cal State San Marcos is 0-8 on its home court ... Northwest is 0-6 this season at Bearcat Arena ... Marcus Glock has made at least one three-pointer in 13 straight games ... Glock has made two or more 3-pointers in 12 contests this season ... the Bearcat bench out-scored the Mules bench, 20-5.