The No. 7 Central Methodist women's basketball program suffered its first road loss of the 2021-22 season, falling to rival Missouri Valley College 94-86 Saturday afternoon in Marshall, Mo. 

With the defeat, CMU falls to 9-3 and 1-3 and conference play, while the Vikings improve to 7-5 and 2-2 in the Heart. 

It was an even contest through the first two quarters of play, as both sides were knotted at 23-23 at the end of the first. Central just edged Missouri Valley on the scoreboard in the second, taking a 48-47 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

The tide turned in the third quarter, as the Vikings outscored Central 32-20. Trailing by 11 entering the final frame, CMU was able to trim the deficit to as few as five points with just over five minutes remaining. 

A 3-point basket from the Vikings on the ensuing possession stretched the lead back out to eight. Central was unable to trim the deficit past six points, as the Eagles ultimately fell 94-86. 

Senior guard Arleighshya McElroy dropped a career-high 43 points in 40 minutes of action. She converted six-of-18 3-point baskets and knocked down 11 free-throw attempts. McElroy also added six rebounds, six assists, and six steals. The 43 points scored are the most by an Eagle in a single-game since DaJonee Hale scored 50 against Grand View on March 3, 2018. 

Freshman Leah Johnson led the rebounding effort with nine boards, while classmates Leianya Massenat and Daesjah Ely joined McElroy with six rebounds each.

Massenat and Johnson each recorded 10 points while senior Kedranea' Addison added nine points on three-of-six shooting from beyond the arc. 

Missouri Valley edged Central on the glass, grabbing 45 rebounds compared to 40 for CMU. The Vikings did a majority of their damage from the arc, knocking down 18-of-30 3-point baskets(60%).

Central returns home to host Haskell in a non-conference matchup at 2 p.m. on Saturday inside Puckett Field House.