The Central Methodist University men's basketball team made the long trip to California but was unable to keep pace with the NAIA's ninth-rated Azusa Pacific University team in an 81-68 loss Wednesday. The game was played in Azusa, Calif., giving the Cougars home court advantage.
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CMU shot 38.9 percent from the field while Azusa shot 53 percent. The Eagles edged the Cougars in three-point shooting, scoring 11 of 30 to their 6 of 18. CMU was 70 percent from the free-throw line while the Cougars shot 50 percent. The Eagles forced 13 turnovers.
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Senior Evan Lavery (Dyer, Ind.) led the team with 18 points and three assists. Sophomore Melvin Tillman (Richmond, Ind.) had 13 points and four assists. Junior Alex Barner (Fort Scott, Kan.) had a solid game with 12 points and a team-high of nine rebounds.
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Central Methodist fell to 2-4 on the season while Azusa Pacific improved to 4-1. Catch CMU in action on Tuesday against Williams Woods University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Puckett Field House.