The Central Methodist women's basketball program cruised past Talladega (Alabama) 118-62, in the Opening Round Championship of the Alexandria bracket Saturday afternoon in Alexandria, Louisiana. The Lady Eagles moved into the second-round game by defeating Freed-Hardeman 79-61 on Friday. 

 With the win over Talledega, CMU improves its overall record to 29-5, and advance to the Round of 16 for the first time since the 2017-18 season. Talladega finished its season with a final mark of 21-12. 

The Eagles jumped out to a commanding 35-13 first-quarter lead and came close to breaking 60 points by the end of the first half. Leading 57-30 coming out of the break, Central's offense posted 33 third-quarter points before cruising in the fourth with 28 points to come away with a 56-point victory. 

All five of Central's starters reached double figures, led by senior guard Arleighshya McElroy. She finished the afternoon with 33 points on nine-of-13 shooting from the field including four 3-point baskets. McElroy was nearly perfect from the charity stripe, knocking down 11-of-13 of her attempts. It marks McElroy's 13th 30-plus scoring performance and her second-highest scoring total this season. 

Freshman Leianya Massenat followed with 19 points while classmate Leah Johnson added 16 points and 11 rebounds to earn a double-double. Senior Kedranea' Addison scored 14 points in only 19 minutes of action, and junior Eternati Willock narrowly missed a triple-double with 10 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Willock also tallied four steals and four blocks in the win. 

Daryna Bachkarova was the final Eagle to land in double figures, scoring 10 points 13 minutes off the bench. 

As a team, Central had one of its best shooting performances of the year, firing off 59.2% from the floor. In addition, Central shot 47.8% from 3-point land and 79.3% from the charity stripe. Twenty-three of Central’s 42 baskets came off assists.

Four of the five CMU starters pulled down seven or more rebounds as Central outrebounded Talledega 48-32. 

The Eagles will next face first-seeded Westmont College in the Round of 16 on Friday. Tipoff is at 1 p.m. at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

The Lady Eagles began their national tournament run with a convincing 79-61 win over Freed-Hardeman Friday afternoon in Alexandria, Louisiana. 

The Eagles dropped 49 first-half points on the Lions and entered the halftime break with a 17-point advantage. Central's offense was slowed in the third quarter, scoring only seven points in the frame. However, CMU responded with 23 points in the fourth to earn an 18-point victory. 

 Freshman Massenat led Central's offense with 21 points on eight-of-13 shooting from the field and four-of-five from the charity stripe. Senior guard Arleighshya McElroy wasn't far behind, as the native of Dallas, Texas stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block. 

Eternati Willock tallied a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. In addition, Willock added four assists, four blocks, and three steals. Daryna Bachkarova was the final Eagle to land in double figures, scoring 10 points including two three-point baskets. 

Freshman forward Leah Johnson had a productive afternoon off the bench, scoring eight points and grabbing five rebounds in only 17 minutes of action.