Alexandria, La. - The Central Methodist women's basketball program cruised past Talladega (Ala.) in the Opening Round Championship of the Alexandria bracket Saturday afternoon in Alexandria, La.
Central rolled past the Tornadoes by a final score of 118-62. With the win, CMU improves their overall record to 29-5, and advance to the Round of 16 for the first time since the 2017-18 season. Talladega finishes their season with a final mark of 21-12.
The Eagles jumped out to a commanding 35-13 first quarter lead, and nearly scored 60 points in the first half overall. Leading 57-30 coming out of the break, Central's offense dropped 33 third quarter points and cruised in the fourth with 28 to come away with a 56-point victory.
All five of Central's starters reached double figures, led by senior guard Arleighshya McElroy. McElroy finished the afternoon with 33 points on nine-of-13 shooting from the field including four three-point baskets. She was also extremely efficient from the charity stripe, knocking down 11-of-13 of her attempts. It marks McElroy's 13th 30-plus scoring performance and her second-highest scoring total this season.
Leianya Massenat followed with 19 points while Leah Johnson added 16 points and 11 rebounds to earn a double-double. Kedranea' Addison scored 14 points in only 19 minutes of action, and Eternati Willock had a monster game, nearly recording a triple-double with 10 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Willock also tallied four steals and four blocks in the win.
Daryna Bachkarova was the final Eagle to land in double figures, scoring 10 points 13 minutes off the bench.
As a team, Central had one of its best shooting performaces of the year, firing off 59.2-percent from the floor, including 47.8-percent from three and 79.3-percent from the charity stripe. The Eagles also showed good ball movement, assisting on 23 of their 42 made baskets.
CMU controlled the boards, as they outrebounded Talladega 48-32. Overall, four of five Central starters grabbed seven or more rebounds.
The Eagles will next face No. 1 seeded Westmont College in the Round of 16 Friday, March 18 at 1:00 p.m. at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
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