Sioux City, Iowa - The Central Methodist women's basketball program saw its season come to a close in the NAIA National Semifinals Monday night in Sioux City, Iowa. 

The Eagles fell to Thomas More by a final score of 82-62. Central concludes its season with a 31-6 overall record and its second national semifinal appearance in program history. The Saints advance to their second straight national title game, and will face Dordt (Iowa) for the championship Tuesday night. 

Thomas More jumped out to a quick 26-17 first quarter lead, before the Eagles battled back in the second. Central took its first lead on a made three-point basket from Leianya Massenat at the 6:16 mark of the second quarter. Central padded its lead to 34-30 after a made jumper from Daryna Bachkarova. 

However, the Saints would close the half on a 14-0 scoring run to take a 10-point lead into the locker room. Thomas More outscored Central in the third, 27-16, leading by as many as 26 points in the quarter. CMU outscored the Saints, 12-11 in the final frame, but could not overcome the defecit, falling by a final score of 82-62. 

Bachkarova led the Central offense with 19 points on 70-percent shooting from the field, including five three-point baskets. Arleighshya McElroy  tallied 13 points and added four rebounds, three assists, and two steals in her final game in an Eagle uniform. 

Massenat rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points. Eternati Willock stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in 34 minutes of action. Kedranea' Addison scored eight points and added eight rebounds, three assists, two steals in her final game for the Green and Black. 

Despite shooting a slightly better percentage from beyond the arc, Central could not match Thomas More's hot shooting from the rest of the floor, as the Saints converted on an even 50-percent of their baskets. 

CMU was just edged on the glass by TMU, 35-33. 

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