Fayette, Mo.- The Central Methodist men's basketball team lost a heartbreaker to rival Missouri Valley College by a score of 72-69, Tuesday night in Puckett Fieldhouse. 

The loss drops the Eagles to 5-8 and 3-6 in conference play, while the Vikings improve to 5-6 and 3-4 in Heart action. Tonight's game marked the final contest for both teams prior to the holiday break.

CMU started off well, taking the lead from the start and opening the game on a 7-2 run, highlighted by a three-point basket from Chandler Bevans. MVC's reaction was immediate and they managed to stay with the Eagles for a majority of the first half. Central led for almost the entirety of the first, taking a 35-34 lead into the break.

Missouri Valley regrouped in the second half, scoring 11 of the first 13 points to gain an eight-point advantage. With a solid defense, MVC pushed their lead to as many as 11 points with just under five minutes to play.

​​Central mounted a furious comeback late via baskets from Fode Camara, Kyle McDermed, Marcus Anthony, and Austin Fisher to narrow the gap. Fisher put Central out in front for the first time since the opening minutes of the half on a basket in the paint with 38 seconds remaining.

​​Unfortunately, Missouri Valley responded with a basket, a defensive stop, and timely free throws to edge Central 72-69 in the closing seconds. 

Camara led the offense with 14 points, five rebounds and one assist. McDermed followed with 12 points, two rebounds, and four assists in 35 minutes of action

​​Anthony added nine points, while Fisher, Trent Lyles, and Chris Orozco all finished with seven points. MVC shot 50-percent from the floor compared to just 39.1-percent for CMU. The Vikings edged Central in the battle of the boards, grabbing 37 rebounds while the Eagles secured 36

CMU will be back in action after the Christmas break against the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St Louis on Saturday, Jan. 2 at 3:00 p.m. in St. Louis, Mo. 

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