Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist University men's basketball team opened the 2020 campaign against former Heart foe Avila University and fell to the Eagles 86-76 Friday night inside Puckett Fieldhouse.

Central falls to 0-1 to start the year, while AU improves to 2-0. 

CMU jumped out to a 15-5 lead in the first six minutes of the game, before Avila battled back. Less than three minutes later, Avila took their first lead of the game 18-17. Both teams exchanged baskets back and forth for the remainder of the first half before Avila would take a 38-36 lead into the break after a three-point basket with 48 seconds remaining. 

Central and Avila continued to exchange baskets in the first few minutes of the second frame, before Avila posted a 17-3 run to take a 61-49 lead with 13:22 remaining in the game. 

The Eagles trimmed the lead to as many as five points after a three-point make from senior guard Kyle McDermed, but were never able to get any closer, as Avila came out victorious, 86-76. 

Junior forward Chandler Bevans impressed in his debut with the Eagles, scoring 22 points while shooting six-of-nine from the field including 10-of-13 from the charity stripe. He also pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds, good enough for a double-double. 

Austin Fisher finished the evening with 15 points, two rebounds, and a steal. McDermed was the final Eagle to reach double figures, recording 12 points with six rebounds and two assists. Fode Camara grabbed eight rebounds, with seven coming on the defensive glass. 

Central was extremely efficient from the charity stripe, shooting 22-of-27 for 81.5-percent. Both teams were nearly identical from the field, as CMU shot 45.3-percent from the floor, compared to 42.4-percent for Avila. 

Tyree King led Avila with a game-high 25 points. AU also converted on 33-percent of its three-point attempts, shooting 11-for-33 from downtown. 

CMU will next face the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 3:00 p.m. in St. Louis, Mo. 

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