Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist Women's Basketball team sent its senior class out on a winning note with a 65-58 victory over Graceland University Saturday afternoon inside Puckett Field House. 

Prior to tip-off, Central honored its 2023-24 Senior Class which included Kailey Franklin, Deryn Brandes, Kendra Frederick, B'Aunce Carter, Tynesha Parnell, Genet Mebratu, and Zutorya Cook. 

Tied at 51-51 going into the final quarter of play, Central held Graceland without a single point for nearly eight minutes of game action. The Yellowjacket's first points of the fourth did not come until the 2:06 mark on a pair of made free throws. Graceland came within four with 13 seconds left, but a made free throw from junior Sharay Trotter put the game out of reach. 

Trotter led all scorers with 15 points in 33 minutes of action. She also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and added an assist, a steal, and a block. 

Parnell was the only other double-digit scorer for the Eagles, as the native of Portland, Oregon scored 14 points, of which 12 came from the three-point line. 

Cook nearly cracked double figures with nine points, but stuffed the stat sheet with six rebounds, five steals, and three assists. 

Freshman Miaya Ware tallied seven points, five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Both Sa'Maya Stevens and B'Aunce Carter each chipped in six points. 

It was a tough shooting day for both teams, but Central managed to hold the Yellowjackets to just 23.8 percent shooting from the floor which included two three-point baskets. 

Graceland held the advantage at the charity stripe, converting 26-of-28 attempts compared to 15-for-25 for the Eagles. CMU outrebounded Graceland 47-45. 

The Eagles make the short trip to Marshall to face Missouri Valley College Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 5:30 p.m. Missouri Valley won the earlier matchup between the two teams by a score of 95-93 back on Jan. 3 in Puckett Field House. 

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