Kingsport, Tenn. - The Central Methodist men's basketball program pushed its win streak to eight games with a 101-83 victory over Trinity International in the first game of the 2021 NAIA "The Show" Basketball Tournament Friday afternoon.
The 16-team tournament, whic is held annually at the MeadowView Marriott in Kingsport, Tennesse, made its return after being canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Eagles' 8-0 record marks their best start since the 2017-18 season, where they finished 27-6.
CMU's offense got going early, scoring 53 first half points, the second most of any half this season. Leading by double-digits at the break, Central managed to hold off any attempted Trojan comeback in the second, outscoring the opposition 48-42 to earn an 18-point victory.
Jonathan Brown dropped a game-high 25 points on nine-of-15 shooting from the field. The native of London, England also dished out a team-leading seven assists and grabbed three rebounds in 35 minutes of action.
Three other Eagles joined Brown in double figures, as Trent Lyles tallied 19 points in 23 minutes off the bench. Isaiah May followed with a career-high 15 points on 50-percent shooting form the field. He also grabbed a team leading eight rebounds to nearly earn a double-double.
Thomas Sowoolu was the final Eagle to enter double figures, as he recorded 12 points, five rebounds and one assist. Jackson Andrews nearly reached double-digit scoring with eight points including two three-point baskets.
Senior guard Tim Cameron filled the stat sheet with seven rebounds, six points, five assists and a steal in 26 minutes of action.
As a team, the Eagles shot an impressive 57.6-percent from the floor including a remarkable 50-percent from beyond the arc. The defense held Trinity International to just 44.8-percent shooting and forced 14 turnovers on eight steals, led by Lyles with three.
Central dominated the glass, grabbing 45 rebounds compared to just 28 for the Trojans. Joining Brown with eight rebounds was senior forward Fode Camara, followed by Tim Cameron (seven), Charlie Bronakowski (six), and Sowoolu (five).
The Eagles continue tournament action with a matchup against Bluefield Saturday, Nov. 27 at 3:15 p.m. (CST).
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