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FAYETTE, Mo. - Kyra Williams' go-ahead bucket with 16 seconds remaining allowed No. 24 Central Methodist to hold off Avila (Mo.), 75-72, inside Mabee Fieldhouse in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.

Central Methodist (19-5, 10-4) has won four straight against Avila (5-17, 3-11) and four straight overall. The Green and Black are 11-2 in their last 13 games.

In a game that featured 16 ties and 13 lead changes, Central Methodist retook the lead for good, 74-72, when Williams pulled up in the lane and rattled home an eight-foot jumper. Avila's Kelsey McConnell broke loose from Central Methodist's full-court press with 13 seconds on the clock but missed a wide-open layup to tie. After Central Methodist's Jesse Ellis converted the front side of a bonus, she grabbed her own miss on the second attempt and ran out the clock to preserve the win.

Central Methodist's largest lead Saturday came at the 6:53 mark of the first half. A Morgan Vetter steal turned into an Ellis fastbreak layup to make the score 22-17. Vetter's fifth trey of the afternoon gave Central Methodist a 72-69 edge with 1:02 remaining in the second half, but Avila's Michaela Brinkley tied the game with a bucket from distance of her own on the next trip down the court, setting the stage for Williams' heroics.

Vetter finished with 17 points and was 5-of-11 from deep. Nakia Robinson added 12 points and five steals in the win. Taylor Cornelison had nine points and five rebounds. Ellis, Burgandie Lewis and Sammie Jo Copeland each scored nine. Ellis pulled down a team-high eight boards.

Brinkley led all scorers with 24. Rebekah Capeder had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Jessica Smith scored 14 points, while Stephanie Miller had 11.

Central Methodist held a decisive edge on the boards, 39-31, and the offensive glass, 14-6. The visitors also converted 21 free throws (21-of-31), while the home team attempted only 17, making 11.

Central Methodist hosts Evangel next Thursday. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. CT.