Fayette, Mo. - In a battle for the top spot in the Heart South Division standings, the No. 13 Central Methodist women's basketball team won a thriller over MidAmerica Nazarene University, 62-61, Wednesday night inside Puckett Field House.
With the victory, Central now sits alone atop the South with a 24-4 mark and a 14-4 record in conference play. The Pioneers fall to 16-10 and 13-5 in the Heart.
CMU found themselves trailing, 61-58 with 35 seconds remaining in the fourth. Senior guard Arleighshya McElroy hit a clutch three with 21 seconds remaining to tie the game at 61-61.
After a Pioneers' timeout, MNU came out of the break with a chance to take the last shot for the win. However, Central's stingy defense forced a turnover at midcourt with five seconds remaining. Leianya Massenat dished the loose ball off to McElroy, who then drove to the basket and was fouled with one second remaining.
She knocked down one of two free throw attempts to give Central a one-point lead. MNU's last second buzzer beater fell short of the basket and the Eagles came away with a 62-61 victory.
McElroy led all scorers with 15 points in 23 minutes of action. Massenat followed with 12 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
Kedranea' Addison nearly cracked double figures with nine points paired with six rebounds. Eternati Willock finished the evening with eight points, six rebounds, two assists, and a block.
Daryna Bachkarova also chipped in seven points, a team-high seven rebounds, three steals and a block.
Both sides were nearly identical in shooting percentage as the Pioneers shot 38.5-percent from the floor, compared to 37.7-percent for Central.
However, the Eagles converted 61.1-percent of their free throw attempts, while MNU finished shooting just 45.5-percent. MidAmerica edged Central on the glass with 42 rebounds compared to 41 for CMU.
Central looks to clinch the No. 1 seed in the South Division against Missouri Valley College Saturday, Feb. 19 at 2:00 p.m. inside Puckett Field House. The program will also recognize their 2021-22 senior class prior to tip-off.
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