The fourth-seeded Central Methodist women’s basketball program ended a spectacular season in the NAIA National semifinals Monday night at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. The Eagles fell to first-seeded Thomas More by a final score of 82-62.

Central concludes its season with a 31-6 overall record and its second national semifinal appearance in program history. The Saints advance to their second straight national title game and will face Dordt (Iowa) for the championship Tuesday night at 6 p.m.

Thomas More jumped out to a quick 26-17 first-quarter lead before the Eagles battled back in the second. Central took its first lead on a 3-point basket by freshman Leianya Massenat at the 6:16 mark of the second quarter. Central padded its lead to 34-30 junior when Daryna Bachkarova converted on a jumper.

The Saints, however, would close the half with a 14-0 scoring run to take a 10-point lead into the locker room. Thomas More outscored Central in the third, 27-16, leading by as many as 26 points in the quarter. CMU continued to fight and outscored the Saints, 12-11 in the final frame, but could not overcome the deficit, falling by a final score of 82-62.

Bachkarova led the Central offense with 19 points on 70% shooting from the field, including five 3-point baskets. Senior Arleighshya McElroy tallied 13 points and added four rebounds, three assists, and two steals in her final game in an Eagle uniform.

Massenat rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points. Junior Eternati Willock stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks in 34 minutes of action. Senior Kedranea' Addison scored eight points and added eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals in her final game for the Green and Black. 

Despite shooting a slightly better percentage from beyond the arc, Central could not match Thomas More's hot shooting from the rest of the floor, as the Saints converted on an even 50% of their baskets. 

CMU was just edged on the glass by TMU, 35-33. 

On the year Central averaged 76.3 points per game to go along with 44.1 rebounds per game. 

Quarterfinals

The Lady Eagles punched their ticket to the NAIA Fab Four with a 72-62 victory over Marian (Indiana) in the NAIA National Championship Quarterfinals Saturday night.

The Eagles advanced to the national semifinals for the first time since 1999, and improved their win total to 31. The Knights’ season ended with a final mark of 30-5. 

The first quarter was a low-scoring affair, as Central held the Knights to just seven points in the first frame. Leading 14-7 at the start of the second, CMU picked up the offense with 19 points to take a 33-23 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

Marian trimmed the lead to as few as four in closing moments of the third, before Central outscored the Knights 23-19 in the fourth to earn a double-digit victory. 

All five of Central’s starters reached double figures, led by senior Arleighshya McElroy who tallied 18 points including two 3-point baskets and eight free-throw makes. The Dallas, Texas native also dished out a game-high seven assists in 35 minutes of action. 

Junior forward Eternati Willock recorded another double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds along with a pair of assists and blocks. Altogether, Willock made an outstanding eight of nine shots from the floor. 

Junior Daryna Bachkarova and freshman Leianya Massenat each chipped in 14 points while freshman Leah Johnson rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points. 

Central exhibited its efficiency by shooting better than 50% from the floor. The Knights finished the evening shooting just 39% from the field despite knocking down seven three-point baskets. 

The Eagles showed their strength down low, outrebounding Marian by double-digits 38-28.