Coach Matt Sherman and the Central Methodist men’s basketball team opened the 2023-24 season with a convincing 88-73 victory over Friends University Thursday night inside Puckett Field House.

The Eagles’ saw five players reach double figures, including four of the five in the starting lineup.

The Eagles jumped right out to a strong start, pulling ahead by double digits just six minutes into the game when a shot by guard Isaiah May gave CMU a 19-9 lead. Moments later, a free throw from May increased the Eagles’ lead to 15 points. 

The Eagles maintained the big lead throughout the first half, holding a 43-27 advantage at halftime.

Central held the wide margin throughout the second half, giving up just one point of its lead in the final 20 minutes to win by 15 points.

The duo of Everett Stubblefield and TreVon Smith led the way with 15 points apiece, followed by Isaiah Williams with 14. Smith also added seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals. 

Trey Sinegal and May each finished the evening with 12 points, while Peter Turay nearly earned a double-double with eight points and a game-high 10 rebounds. In addition, May grabbed seven rebounds to match Smith. 

As a team, Central shot 51.7 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc. The Falcons finished the evening shooting just 26.3 percent from the 3-point line. 

CMU handily won the battle of the boards, grabbing 42 rebounds compared to 27 for Friends.

Central will next host the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Wednesday) in Puckett Field House. On Monday, the Eagles take on Williams Woods at home before wrapping up a four-game home stand at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 10, against Columbia College. 

Central jumps right into Heart action on November 15 at Clarke (Ia.).