Cedar Rapids, Iowa - The Central Methodist Men's Basketball team began 2025 win a narrow 80-78 win over the Mount Mercy Mustangs Saturday afternoon in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
With the win, the Eagles improve to 8-7 and 5-6 in the Heart of America, while Mount Mercy drops to 2-13 and 1-10 in conference action.
Both teams were in for a battle all game, with Central coming out on top in the final seconds.
With under 10 minutes left in the first half, the Eagles jumped out to a seven-point lead, the biggest of the half. Mount Mercy was able to cut the deficit down quickly and took the lead with over five minutes remaining.
The last made field goal came with over a minute left in the first, as Marcus Anthony knocked down a triple to give CMU a 37-36 lead heading into halftime.
Anthony led the way for Central in the first half, as he recorded seven points along with a rebound and an assist. Brandon Tchouya led both teams with six rebounds in the first 20 minutes.
In the second half, Bol Tong quickly increased CMU's lead to four after a made three-pointer.
Both teams exchanged leads before the Eagles started to settle in, taking a 64-57 lead with 8:52 left to play.
The Mustang's battled their way back and regained the lead with two minutes on the clock.
Central's Mario Fantina responded, as the senior nailed a three-point basket to put CMU back out in front, 77-76
The game came down to the wire, with the Mustangs converting two free throws to take a one-point lead with 27 seconds left.
In their final possession of the game, Central's senior forward Bol Tong nailed a corner three that gave CMU the 80-78 lead and ultimately the win.
Tong himself led all scorers with 22 points, 17 of which came in the second half. He added 11 rebounds to his stellar performance to finish with a double-double.
Anthony scored 18 points on seven-of-12 shooting from the floor including two three-point baskets. He also added three assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
Fantina joined Tong and Anthony in double figures with 10 points. The duo of Thomas Sowoolu and Tchouya each chipped in eight points, while Sowoolu grabbed five rebounds and Tchouya eight.
Central shot an even 50 percent from the floor, 34.8 percent from long range, and 70 percent from the free throw line.
The Eagles outrebounded Mount Mercy, 41-37.
CMU hits the road again on Wednesday, January 8, traveling to Canton, Missouri to take on Culver-Stockton College at 7:30 pm.
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