Fayette, Mo. - The No. 6 Central Methodist Women's Basketball program cruised past Graceland University 101-52 in the Heart Opener Monday evening inside Puckett Field House. 

CMU improves its overall record to 5-0 and 1-0 in the Heart, while the Yellowjackets fall to 4-2 and 0-1 in conference action. 

Central found itself leading by just six at the end of the first quarter, before outscoring GU 20-9 in the second. CMU's offense came out of the halftime break firing on all cylinders, scoring 34 points in the third compared to just 13 for Graceland. 

The Eagles closed the game out in the fourth outscoring Graceland 27-16 to earn a 49-point victory. 

Sophomore guard Leianya Massenat had a career-night, scoring a career-best 31 points on nine-of-20 shooting from the floor which included five three-point baskets. The native of Trenton, N.J. added a team-high 11 rebounds to earn a double-double, and also added three assists, and three steals. 

Reigning Heart Player of the Week Daryna Bachkarova reached double figures with 19 points along with six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. 

Leah Johnson rounded out the double-digit scorers with 14 points in addition to seven rebounds in just 18 minutes of action. 

Zutorya Cook nearly cracked double figures with eight points along with a game-high seven steals. 

Overall, Central shot an impressive 48.7-percent from the floor and 40.9-percent from the three-point line. 

CMU's defense forced 32 Yellowjacket turnovers on 17 steals, and outrebounded Graceland 55-36. 

The Eagles will remain at home to host No. 5 Clarke University Saturday, Nov. 26 at 2:00 p.m. inside Puckett Field House. It is a rematch of last year's Heart Tournament Championship game. 

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