�Game Notes

FAYETTE, Mo. - The Central Methodist men's basketball team returns to Puckett Fieldhouse on Saturday to welcome No. 17 MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.). Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. CT.

The game can be seen and heard live online at cmueagles.com.

Central Methodist (13-10, 6-5 HAAC) vs. No. 17 MidAmerica Nazarene (17-6, 9-2 HAAC)
Saturday, February 2 - 4 p.m. CT
Fayette, Mo.�- Puckett Fieldhouse�(1,700)
Promotion:�Bill Holman Blow Pop Game
Live Video and Radio:�cmueagles.com
Radio Talent:�Dr. Collin Brink (pxp), Meredith Brick�(color)
Live Stats:�cmueagles.com
Live Chat:�cmueagles.com
Twitter Updates:�@cmueagles

Series Information:
Last Meeting:�No. 12 MidAmerica Nazarene defeated Central Methodist, 79-63, on Dec. 8, 2012.
Streak:�MidAmerica Nazarene has won three straight games between the two teams.

About Central Methodist:
Central Methodist enters Saturday's game with a 13-10 overall record and 6-5 mark in Heart of America Athletic Conference play after a win at Peru State (Neb.) on Saturday, Jan. 26. The Eagles are 4-4 in their last eight games.

Melvin Tillman�leads the team and ranks sixth in the HAAC in scoring average at 15.6 points per game.�Elliott Black�ranks second in the conference shooting 51.2 percent from the field, while�Eric Franklin�ranks third in the league in assists per game (4.82).

The Eagles are 6-3 in Puckett Fieldhouse this season.

About MidAmerica Nazarene:
MidAmerica Nazarene�enters Saturday's matchup with a 17-6 overall record, 9-2 mark in Heart of America Athletic Conference play and have won two straight games. The Pioneers lead the HAAC and NAIA Division I in field goal percentage offense shooting 52.8 percent from the field. MidAmerica Nazarene also leads the HAAC in�scoring offense per game (82.2 ppg) and assists with 450, good for second in the nation.


First Annual Bill Holman Blow Pop Game

Saturday's battle with MidAmerica Nazarene is the first annual Bill Holman Blow Pop Game.

The Central Methodist athletic department will pass out Blow Pops during both games and will make a special presentation to Martha Holman, Bill's widow, between the women's and men's basketball games. Martha Holman will also be an honorary coach for both contests.

Central Methodist is asking for donations on Feb. 2 to benefit the Fayette Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry in honor of the Holman family.

The Central Methodist alumnus and longtime resident of Fayette died on Dec. 9, 2012, at the age of 89.

Bill and Martha Holman were avid supporters of Central Methodist athletics, particularly the basketball teams, where they were known for passing out Blow Pops to those in attendance.

New President Drake to Be a Guest

Newly appointed Central Methodist president Dr. Roger Drake will be in attendance Saturday as the Eagles take on the Pioneers. Drake assumes the office on July 1.

Anderson Scores Career High in Central Methodist's Latest Game

Sophomore point guard Cody Anderson contributed a career-high 13 points in the Eagles' latest victory over Peru State. The Springfield, Mo., native, who started in place of the injured Eric Franklin, was 4-of-5 from the floor and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line. Anderson surpassed his previous career high of 11 points, set two days before against No. 19 Evangel (Mo.).

Pioneer Offense vs. Eagle Defense

The Pioneers enter Saturday's showdown leading the HAAC in field goal percentage offense, shooting 52.8 percent from the field, and�scoring offense per game (82.2 ppg). The Green and Black boast the third-best scoring defense in the conference, holding opponents to 65.8 points per game.

MidAmerica Nazarene shot 54.2 percent from the field in the first contest between the two teams, including 63.3 percent in the first half.

Sharing the Wealth

Saturday's battle features the two best teams in the HAAC and two of the top teams in NAIA Division I in assists. The Pioneers lead the league and rank second nationally with 450, while the Eagles are second in the conference and ninth in the country with 358.

Transition Defense Key for Central Methodist

MidAmerica Nazarene has perhaps the best transition offense in the HAAC. On Dec. 8, the Pioneers outscored Central Methodist 20-0 in fastbreak points and 18-4 off turnovers.

Tillman Returns to Form

After scoring only 11 points in three straight games, junior guard Melvin Tillman has returned to form for the Eagles in their last two outings, averaging 14 points per game. The Richmond, Ind., native has averaged 15.6 points per game overall and 15 points per HAAC contest.�

Tillman tallied 16 in the first matchup at Bell Family Arena on Dec. 8.

Central Methodist Ranks in Multiple NAIA Division I Categories