Behind two 20-point scoring performances, the No. 15 Central Methodist women’s basketball program knocked off Grand View University 93-79 Saturday afternoon at home. 

Central remains atop the Heart South Division standings with a 21-4 overall record and an 11-4 mark in conference play. The Vikings fall to 20-6 and 11-3 in the Heart.

The Eagles outscored Grand View 28-23 in a high-scoring first quarter and 24-23 in the second. Central would take a 52-46 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

The Vikings came out strong in the third quarter, going on a 9-2 scoring run in the first 90 seconds of the frame. Grand View held its first lead of the game, 55-54, and both teams exchanged leads over the next two minutes. 

Central regained the lead for good at the at the 6:15 mark of the third. The Eagles used a 22-point fourth quarter to close the game out and earn their 21st win of the year. The 93 points scored are the most by the Eagles in Heart play this season.

The duo of  senior  Arleighshya McElroy and freshman Leianya Massenat led Central’s offense with 20 points apiece. Massenat also grabbed six rebounds while McElroy tallied seven assists, five rebounds, two steals and a block. 

Junior Daryna Bachkarova reached double figures with 17 points including three 3-point baskets. Freshman forward Leah Johnson was the final Eagle to tally double-digits point with 10. 

The Eagles converted  more than 50% from the field, 38% from beyond the arc, and 85% from the free-throw line. 

Central held a slight advantage on the glass, 35-33. Overall, CMU committed only nine turnovers on the day and dominated the low post with 46 points in the paint. Grand View finished the game with 24 points in the paint.

The Eagles will travel south to take on Evangel University tonight at 5:30 p.m. in Springfield, Missouri.