Fayette, Mo. – The Central Methodist women's basketball team kept their winning streak alive after defeating Mount Mercy University by a score of 99-74, Friday afternoon inside Puckett Fieldhouse. 

With the win, the Eagles improve to 11-5 overall and 10-5 in conference action, while the Mustangs fall to a 4-8 overall and 4-7 in the Heart. Today's game marked the return of Mount Mercy to the hardwood, after not playing since Jan. 11. 

The Eagles started off slow and were trailing by as many as eight points with 5:19 minutes left in the first quarter. However, Central amped up the pace and tied the game at 20-20 at the end of the first frame. The Eagles outscored Mount Mercy, 28-19 in the second quarter, taking a nine-point lead into the locker room. 

CMU stretched its lead to as many as 32 points and nearly reached the century mark in the final frame with 99 points, en route to a 25-point victory. It marks Central's fifth game this season in which they have scored 90 or more points, all of which have resulted in victories. 

Four Eagles reached double digits as Daryna Bachkarova led the Eagles with a season-high 26 points including seven three-point baskets. She also added eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals. Kellymar Ramirez followed with 18 points and six rebounds.

Leah Johnson earned another double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, eight of which came on the offensive glass. Michelle Nicholls was the final Eagle to reach double digits with 11 points, along with seven rebounds and two assists. 

As a unit, the Eagles shot 41.3-percent from the field compared to 43.3-percent for the Mustangs. Central was perfect from the charity stripe, converting on 11 of their free-throw attempts. 

CMU won the battle of the boards with 61 rebounds while the Mustangs finished the afternoon with 36. 

The lady Eagles will be back in action Saturday, February 6 at 2:00 p.m. in Canton, Mo. when they face Culver-Stockton College.

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