The University of Central Missouri Mules won the National Championship Division II Basketball Championship 84-77, defeating the West Liberty Hilltoppers on Saturday afternoon (March 29). The Mules were led by Daylen Robinson with 21 points in the game and 16 in the second half.

UCM was able to control the Hilltoppers to only 77 points, though they average 100 points per game. Both teams were back and forth throughout the game. The Hilltoppers led by nine early in the first half, but UCM stormed back to within two at halftime. UCM took control late in the game, bringing home the championship for the first time since 1984, when the Mules and Jennies won the National Championship on the same court.

This was Kim Anderson's first championship trip as head coach in his 12-year history with the program.

You are invited to a celebration parade and pep rally today (March 31). Members of the campus community and the Greater Warrensburg Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and UCM Athletics have planned a parade that will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 31 at the corner of Holden and Ming Streets in Warrensburg, just south of where Holden Street is closed. The parade will travel south on Holden Street, turn right on Houx Street, and then head to the Multipurpose Building after turning right on Washington Street. A pep rally coordinated by UCM Athletics will follow at 6 p.m. in the Multipurpose Building. If you can't make it to the rally, you can still be a part of it online.

UPDATE: In cooperation with the community of Warrensburg, the University of Central Missouri will hold a welcome home pep rally and parade on Monday, March 31, honoring the 2014 NCAA-II Men's Basketball National Champion Mules Basketball team.

Members of the campus community and the Greater Warrensburg Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and UCM Athletics have planned a parade that will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 31 at the corner of Holden and Ming Streets in Warrensburg, just south of where Holden Street is closed. The parade will travel south on Holden Street, turn right on Houx Street, and then head to the Multipurpose Building after turning right on Washington Street. A pep rally coordinated by UCM Athletics will follow at 6 p.m. in the Multipurpose Building.

This press release provided by the University of Central Missouri.

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