Fayette, Mo. - Behind a new career-high from sophomore guard Leianya Massenat, No. 2 CMU Women's Basketball earned a decisive 98-70 victory over MidAmerica Nazarene University Wednesday night inside Puckett Field House.
CMU improves its perfect record to 18-0 and 12-0 in the Heart, remaining in first place in the conference standings. The Pioneers fall to 12-6 and 9-4 in conference action.
Tonight's game was the second matchup between the Eagles and Pioneers this season, as Central won the earlier contest 79-74 back on Nov. 30 in Olathe.
After a 22-15 first quarter lead, Central held the Pioneers to just nine points in the second quarter to take a 47-24 lead into halftime. The Eagles scored 32 points in the third quarter before closing the game out in the final frame to earn a 28-point victory.
Massenat had a career-night, dropping 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the floor, including four three-point baskets. She also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds to earn a double-double, in addition to five assists and a steal. Massenat now sits at 976 career-points in only two and a half years with CMU, just 24 shy of 1000.
Daryna Bachkarova added 19 points on 50-percent shooting, along with six rebounds, five assists, and four blocks. Zutorya Cook was the third Eagle to land in double figures with 15 points, five steals, two assists, two rebounds, and a block.
Robin Beck also had an efficient night, tallying 13 points which included three three-point baskets. Taliyah Carter recorded eight points in 19 minutes off the bench, while Jaicia Canady added seven points, seven rebounds, six assists and a steal.
The Eagles did a majority of their damage from three, finishing the night shooting 42.3-percent from beyond the arc. Central held MNU to less than 10-percent shooting from three. CMU was also extremely efficient in ball movement, dishing out 20 assists on 37 made baskets.
CMU also held a 42-36 rebound advantage over MidAmerica Nazarene on the glass.
Central will take its perfect record to Baldwin City, Kan. to face Baker University Saturday, Jan. 20 at 2:00 p.m.
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