The Central Methodist men’s basketball team secured a key Heart of America Athletic Conference road win last Wednesday night, defeating conference rival Missouri Valley 77-72 at the Burns Athletic Complex in Marshall, before winning its second straight against Mount Mercy, 77-65, on Senior Day on Saturday.
Central is now 16-8 overall and 10-6 in the Heart.
CMU 77
MVC 72
CMU jumped out to a strong start defensively, holding Missouri Valley to just 21 points in the first half while building a 35-21 advantage at the break.
Central maintained its composure down the stretch as the Vikings mounted a second-half comeback attempt, scoring 51 points after halftime. However, the Eagles answered with timely plays and key buckets to seal the victory.
Isaiah Bonaparte led CMU with a game-high 21 points, shooting 6-for-11 from the field and banking three of four from 3-point range. He also added six assists and five rebounds. Tyson Oghene followed with 18 points, knocking down four 3-pointers and dishing out six assists in 38 minutes of action.
Raphael Gay added 11 points and eight rebounds, providing a steady presence in the paint, while Isaiah Reams contributed 11 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Austin Prater rounded out the balanced effort with nine points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Central shot 43.3 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from beyond the arc, while converting 15-of-18 free throws (83.3 percent). The Eagles totaled 19 assists on 26 made field goals and limited mistakes with just 14 turnovers on the night.
Missouri Valley outscored CMU 51-42 in the second half and held a narrow rebounding advantage, but struggled from 3-point range, allowing the Eagles’ first-half defensive effort and late-game execution to be the difference.
MMU 65
CMU 77
Central ended Senior Day on a high note, cruising past Mount Mercy University, 77-65. Prior to tipoff, the program honored its 2025-26 senior class, which included Isaiah Reams, Rafael Gay, Kevin James, Tyson Oghene, Tom Sowoolu, and Cameron Mejean.
Central held a 36-30 lead at the halftime break. Despite Mount Mercy’s late comeback in the second half, the Eagles still came away with a double-digit win.
Four Eagles scored in double figures, including three starters. Reams led the Eagles with 22 points, including two 3-point baskets. Oghene followed with 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Gay tallied his seventh double-double this season, posting 15 points and 10 rebounds to anchor both ends of the court. Bonaparte rounded out a double-digit score with 11 points, six assists, four rebounds, and two steals.
As a team, Central shot an efficient 50 percent from the field and 86.7 percent from the free-throw line, while Mount Mercy shot 60 percent from the charity stripe.
The Eagles return to action tonight (Wednesday), hosting Culver-Stockton at 7:30 p.m. in Puckett Field House.
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