BOX SCORE

The Central Methodist University men's basketball team was outscored 17-6 in overtime as the Runnin' Eagles suffered a tough loss at Avila University Saturday evening, 87-76 in overtime.
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After leading 37-30 at halftime, the CMU men extended their lead to 41-32 after back-to-back baskets by senior Jake Clark (St. Charles, Mo.). Avila went on an 11-2 run over the next five minutes to tie the game at 43 with 12:41 remaining. The score was tied five more times during the next 10 minutes, as the largest lead for either team was five points in that span. CMU regained the lead at 66-65 on a basket by Clark with 2:18 left in regulation. Avila answered with a basket and a free throw to take a 68-66 lead, before junior Courtney Blakes (Monroe, La.) made a pair of free throws to bring CMU even with 1:08 remaining. Avila made a quick basket to regain the lead, before Blakes made a basket in the paint with 26 seconds left to tie the game at 70. Avila tried to win the game in regulation, but a three-pointer was off the mark, sending the game to overtime. Avila scored the first seven points in overtime to take control, and held CMU to just six free throws in the extra period to hang on for the win.�
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Central Methodist opened the game by jumping out to a 15-6 lead in the first six minutes, including three straight three-pointers. Avila answered with nine straight points to tie the game at 15, before CMU went on a 16-5 run, which included four three-pointers, to open up a 31-20 lead with 3:51 left in the first half. Avila closed to within seven as CMU held a 37-30 lead at halftime.
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CMU finished with 34.8 shooting from the field in the game. The Runnin' Eagles were 8-of-30 from three-point range in the game, after making 7-of-16 from beyond the arc in the first half. CMU shot 73.3 percent from the free-throw line on 22-of-30 shooting. Avila shot 46.4 percent from the field in the game, including 53.6 percent in the second half and overtime. Avila finished just 4-of-16 from three-point range, and were 0-of-7 from beyond the arc in the second half and overtime. Avila made 31-of-40 free-throw attempts in the game. Avila edged CMU 38-37 in rebounding.
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Clark tied his career-high with 24 points, while also pulling down seven rebounds. Sophomore Eric Franklin (Columbia, Mo.) scored a career-high 13 points, including nine in the first half. Senior Clint Hamilton (Pflugerville, Texas) recorded his sixth straight game in double-figures, finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds, but was held to just two points after halftime before fouling out. Sophomore Derek Kitch (Hallsville, Mo.) also pulled down seven rebounds for CMU.
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Central Methodist dropped to 7-15 overall and 2-10 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Avila improved to 8-12 overall and 4-7 in conference play. CMU will be back in action Thursday in a 7:30 p.m. contest against Baker University at Puckett Field House, before hosting Graceland University at 4 p.m. Saturday.