Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist men's basketball program defeated Avila University by a final score of 96-69 in its home opener Thursday night in Puckett Field House. 

Central improves its overall record to 2-1, while the Eagles of Avila fall to 1-3. It also marks the first home win for first-year Head Coach Matt Sherman. 

The Eagles of Central dropped 54 first half points to take a 26-point lead into the locker room at halftime. Despite only outscoring Avila, 42-41 in the second half, CMU still cruised to a 27-point victory. 

Graduate transfer James Jordan recorded his third-straight 25-plus scoring performance, dropping 29 points on eight-of-15 shooting from the field. The native of Detroit, Mich. also added four rebounds, three assists, and a steal to his stat line. 

Everett Stubblefield finished the evening with 17 points in 27 minutes of action, while Jaquan Morris scored 16 points in only 12 minutes off the bench. 

Senior forward Isaiah May was the final Eagle to land in double figures with 12 points. He also added six rebounds, a game-high five steals, one assist, and a block. 

Thomas Sowoolu grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. The Eagles finished the evening outrebounding Avila, 48-39, with 18 of those rebounds coming on the offensive glass. 

Central's defense caused problems all night, forcing 21 Avila turnovers on 12 steals. Both teams shot almost indentical to the foor, as Central shot 43.8-percent and Avila, 44.1-percent.

The Eagles will next face Columbia College Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Columbia, Mo. 

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