Olathe, Kan. - The No. 4 Central Methodist Women's Basketball team edged (RV) MidAmerica Nazarene by a score of 79-74 Wednesday night in Olathe, Kan. 

With the victory, the Eagles keep their perfect record intact at 7-0 and 3-0 in the conference. The Pioneers slip to 4-3 and 1-1 in Heart play. 

The game was a back-and-forth affair from start to finish, with the Pioneers holding a slim 40-37 lead at the halftime break. Central used a 22-point third quarter to take a 59-56 lead entering the fourth. 

MNU jumped out in the fourth quarter with seven-straight points in the first two and half minutes. Central would trail by as many as five points in the period before closing the game out on a 16-6 scoring run to earn the five-point victory. 

Reigning Heart Player of the Week Leianya Massenat led Central in scoring with 23 points in 38 minutes of action. She also converted on nine-of-12 attempts from the free throw line and added six rebounds, four steals, three assists, and a block. Six of her nine free throw makes came in the last 18 seconds of the game to seal the victory for CMU. 

Zutorya Cook followed with 19 points and a game-high eight steals, while Daryna Bachkarova secured a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. The senior forward also added three assists, three blocks and a steal. 

Leah Johnson was the final Eagle to reach double figures with 11 points paired with nine rebounds. She also matched Bachkarova with three blocks. 

Central finished the night shooting just 32.5-percent from the floor and converted only one three-point basket. However, CMU knocked down 74.3-percent of its free throw attempts and forced 23 Pioneer turnovers. 

The Eagles won the battle of the boards, grabbing 52 rebounds compared to 46 for MNU. 

Central continues its roadtrip against the Mount Mercy Mustangs Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2:00 p.m. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

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