FAYETTE, Mo. - Two of the top defensive teams in the Heart of America Athletic Conference put on an offensive display Saturday afternoon with Baker coming out on top of a 89-78 verdict at Central Methodist in the HAAC Men's Basketball Game of the Week at Puckett Field House.
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The Wildcats (13-7, 6-3 HAAC) came into the game ranked�fifth in field goal defense at .382 while the Runnin' Eagles (8-11, 2-7 HAAC) weren't far behind in allowing 66.7 points per game. Those numbers were non-existent as the teams combined to connect on 21 three-point shots and 60 total field goals.
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The first half saw Central Methodist come firing out of the gates as Robert Mason hit a trio of 3-pointers in the first 4:44 as the Eagles jumped out to a 17-7 lead. The hot start would continue through the opening 10 minutes for the Eagles as Eric Franklin canned a three of his own before Mike Regan restored the 10-point cushion at the 10:52 mark with a triple.
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Corey Anderson started turning the tide toward the Wildcats with a three-pointer on the next possession that ignited a 10-0 run over 2:36 to tie the game. The teams traded the lead the remainder of the half before a jumper by Melvin Tillan with 25 seconds to play gave the Eagles a 1-point lead headed into the intermission.
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The start of the second half saw Baker go inside to its starting frontcourt of Jack Shortell and Ben Steinlage, a move that proved pivotal as the Wildcats seized control of the game. The duo tallied 7 of the first 9 points after the break as the Wildcats quickly turned a 1-point deficit into a 47-43 lead.
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Following a basket by Alex Barner, Baker put together another spurt with continued hot shooting from distance. Jordan Honore started off the 12-1 with a three-pointer before Joe Wachter took his turn from deep for a 4-minute stretch that stretched the lead to 59-46.
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The Wildcats posted their highest point total since tallying 102 in a season-opening win over Kansas Wesleyan. It was also the most points allowed by Central Methodist, which had averaged just 53.0 points allowed in its last three contests.
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Baker shot over 60 percent from the field in both halves and finished with a .618 shooting clip for the game including a 6-of-9 mark from 3-point range. The Wildcats also held a 28-25 edge on the glass and a 38-24 advantage in points in the paint.
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Shortell was 9-of-11 from the field and led all scorers with 19 points for Baker, which eclipsed its win total from last season by improving to 13-7, 6-3 in conference play. Honore finished with 17 points as he hit all six of his shots with four of those coming from distance. Steinlage had 15 points while Anderson hit 4-of-5 treys to tally 14 points and Wachter tossed in 11 points.
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Central Methodist had a solid offensive showing as well, hitting 50 percent from the field (26-of-52), including 11-of-24 from beyond the arc. Tillman led the Eagles with 17 points and 5 assists while Barner had 12 points and a game-high 7 rebounds.

Central Methodist will host Peru State next Saturday, Jan. 28, to start the second half of conference play. Tipoff is set for�4 p.m.