The Basics
Score: Central Methodist 89, Evangel 78
Records: Evangel (7-6, 5-5), Central Methodist (7-5, 6-5)
Location: Puckett Field House

Box Score

FAYETTE, Mo. – Behind a critical second-half scoring run and 47 combined points from Daryna Bachkarova and Leaianya Massenat, Central Methodist halted Evangel's two-game win streak with an 89-78 victory over the Crusaders Saturday afternoon at Puckett Field House.

After EU wiped out an eight-point, third-period deficit to pull even at 55-55, the Eagles scored eight unanswered points as part of a 17-2 outburst that put them on top to stay.

Massenat tallied a game-high 27 points on 11-of-22 shooting, while Bachkarova added 23 points, as the Eagles shot 0.465 from the floor to avenge a 19-point loss to EU in the two clubs' first meeting of the season.

The Crusaders came out of the gate firing, connecting on eight of their first 10 shots of the contest to establish a 15-7 lead. Brianna Vogts scored six of the first 10 Evangel points of the day, and Abby Oliver sank a pair of treys to help the Crusaders shoot 0.625 as a team in the opening period.

But the Eagles came up with a response, turning in an 11-3 scoring run to pull even with EU at 18-18. Bachkarova tallied eight points over the final four minutes, helping CMU take a 24-23 lead in the final minute of the quarter.

Vogts powered home her fourth field goal of the period with 25 seconds to play, handing the Crusaders a 25-24 edge after one quarter.

Massenat scored six-straight points to help the Eagles open up a 30-27 early in the second. The two offenses continued their strong start to the day, trading blows until Bachkarova's three with 4:22 to play ignited a 10-4 CMU run to close the half.

CMU extended its lead to 48-40 in the early stages of the third, but three-pointers by Oliver and Kohnnar Patton keyed a 15-7 surge that ultimately pulled EU even at 55-55 with 3:02 to play in the period.

But CMU took the lead for good on a Leah Johnson bucket, then took advantage of four straight makes at the foul line and a Bachkarova basket to seize an eight-point lead by the end of the quarter.

The Eagles added a 9-0 run to extend their lead to 72-57 early in the fourth, then stretched the margin to as many as 20 midway through the period. EU would get no closer than the final margin of 11, thanks to late three-pointers by Bayley Harman and Oliver.

Vogts totaled 21 points on 9-of-19 shooting, while Oliver chipped in with 20 after going 6-of-10 from beyond the three-point arc.

On the strength of Oliver's effort, the Crusaders knocked down a season-high 11 three-pointers (on 22 attempts) and shot 0.424 from the floor overall.

CMU converted 18-of-21 free throw attempts (0.857) for the game and out-rebounded EU by a 47-32 margin.

UP NEXT
The Crusaders' Monday Heart Conference home contest against MidAmerica Nazarene has been postponed. EU will return to action Wednesday (Jan. 20) with a 5:30 p.m., home game against Missouri Valley at the Ashcroft Center.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EUAthletics, Twitter (@EUAthletics), or visit EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the new Evangel Crusaders GamedayApp through Google Play. 

—EvangelAthletics.com—