Fayette, Mo. The Central Methodist University men's basketball team battled all afternoon long on Saturday against Graceland University inside of Puckett Field House on Senior Night. The Eagles held on late to defeat the YellowJackets 77-65.
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With the victory, the Eagles improve to 15-13 overall and 9-11 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play. With the loss, the Graceland YellowJackets fall to 16-12 overall and 11-9 in The Heart.
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Central Methodist jumped on the YellowJackets early on Saturday afternoon, holding a 12-5 lead four minutes into the game. CMU continued to roll in the first half and took a 40-30 lead into halftime. At the half, the Eagles had shot 50% from the floor and 63% from beyond the three-point arc. CMU struggled at the free-throw line in the first half, converting on just five of their 10 attempts. Graceland University struggled in the first half, shooting just 37% (10-for-27) from the field.
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In the second half, the YellowJackets would come back and make it a game. The second half featured a couple of good runs by both teams, but CMU was able to hold off Graceland in the end, outscoring the YellowJackets 37-35 on their way to a 77-65 victory. In the second half, neither team shot the ball well; both finished under 42% from the field. CMU held on for the win and remained in the game because of their free-throw shooting. The Eagles shot 12-of-15 from the charity stripe in the second half.
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Four players scored in double figures for the Eagles in the victory. Senior guard Jay Jones (Hannibal, Mo.) and Ron Lee (Oak Park, Calif.) both finished with a team high 18 points apiece. Lee finished with a double-double, collecting 12 rebounds as well. Scott Stegeman (Jefferson City, Mo.) and Tyrell Thirkield (Higginsville, Mo.) both finished with 11 points apiece. Stegeman also finished with a double-double, tallying 12 rebounds.


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Prior to their game on Saturday afternoon, head coach Jeff Sherman honored his four senior players and his senior student assistant coach Matt Koestelnik (Eldon, Mo.). The players honored include: guards John Hall (Eldon, Mo.), Jay Jones (Hannibal, Mo.), and Marcus Walden (Augusta, Ga.), along with forward Mitchell Wendling (Athens, Ill.).
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The Eagles final home regular season game is this Wednesday evening against William Penn University. The Lady Eagles will get the night started at 5:30pm, followed by the Eagle men at 7:30pm.
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For more information about Central Methodist University athletics, visit http://www.cmueagles.com. Follow CMU athletics on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cmathletics and on Twitter twitter.com/cmueagles. �������
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