Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist men's basketball team fell at home to fellow Heart member Baker University by a score of 63-51 Thursday night in Puckett Fieldhouse.

With the loss, Central falls to 5-6 and 3-4 in the Heart, while the Wildcats improve to 3-3 and 1-1 in conference action. 

During the first half, the Eagles started the game well, scoring the opening five points on baskets from Jayden McGrew and Kyle McDermed. CMU held a single-digit lead throughout the first eight minutes before the Wildcats took their first lead on a three-point basket from Jalen Patterson. Both teams exchanged leads in a low-scoring first half, with the Wildcats having the edge at halftime, 25-21. 

The second half featured a defensive stalemate between the two sides, as Central finished the game with 30 points in the final frame en route to a 12-point victory for BU. 

McDermed finished the evening with 12 points and an assist, while Fode Camara also reached double-figures with 10 points and a new season-high 18 rebounds. In addition, the senior from Queens New York added three assists, three blocks, and two steals in 33 minutes of action. Both Trent Lyles and Austin Fisher added seven points apiece. 

The Eagles were hurt at the charity stripe, knocking down only nine-of-23 attempts from the free-throw line. Baker also struggled from the free-throw line, converting on only 45.5-percent.  

CMU will be back on the court this Saturday at 4:00 p.m. inside Puckett Fieldhouse to face MidAmerica Nazarene for the second to last game before Christmas break.

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