Feb. 28, 2009 – The University of Central Missouri was able to hold off a pesky Bulldog squad on Senior Day in Pershing Arena, the Mules defeated Truman 77-71. Truman trailed by just one with 4:49 left. Patrick Fandja ended his career with a double-double for Truman scoring 15 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
The Mules led by as many as nine points in the first half but the Bulldogs closed strong and finished the half on a three-pointer by Alex Henderson to cut Central’s lead down to just two.
Truman retook the lead at the 16:47 mark when Ethan Freeman scored on a nice feed by senior Banks Estridge. Vesko Filchev converted on a three-point play that was also set up by Estridge to put Truman in front by four.
Central got five quick points from Alex Moosmann on a couple of baskets but Stefan Garrison responded with a make with 15:25 left to give Truman their final lead.
The Mules expanded their lead to eight before the Bulldogs reeled them back in. Fandja scored four straight to pull Truman to within two at the 7:36 mark.
After Fandja connected on a pair of free throws with 4:49 left to make the score 64-63 Central, the Bulldogs got the ball back with a chance to take the lead. Fandja missed a jumper but Freeman gathered the offensive rebound, however his outlet pass went out of bounds.
Central scored the next five points to take a six-point lead with just over three minutes to play.
Nathan Frazier put the dagger into the Bulldogs with a three-pointer with 1:59 left and another basket with 1:21 to play. It was the only five points Frazer scored for the Mules.
Four Bulldogs scored in double figures with Fandja leading the way with 15 points, while Filchev added 13, Freeman scored 12 and Garrison chipping in 11. Truman shot 44% from the field.
Central was paced by Joe Young’s 22 points on 6-of-10 shooting and a perfect 8-of-8 from the line. Alex Moosmann scored 14 before leaving the game with an injury. The Mules shot 45% from the field and were 8-of-13 from beyond the arc.
Truman ends their season with a record of 6-21 and 1-19 in the MIAA, while Central finishes with a 23-4 mark and 16-4 league record. The Mules could earn the top seed in the MIAA postseason tournament with a loss by Southwest Baptist at home on Saturday night against Missouri Western.