Fayette, Mo. - Behind three double-digit scoring performances, the Central Methodist men's basketball team picked up a 76-63 win over Evangel University Saturday afternoon inside Puckett Fieldhouse. 

With the win, Central improves to 7-10 and 4-8 in conference action, while the Crusaders fall to 7-9 and 6-5 in the Heart. Saturday's win marks the first victory for CMU in conference play since they defeated Missouri Valley College, 77-69, back on Nov. 24 in Marshall, Mo. 

After giving up the opening basket of the game, the Eagles jumped out to a quick 7-3 lead in the opening three and a half minutes of the frame via baskets from Austin Fisher, and Fode Camara. 

Central was able to keep Evangel at bay for another three minutes before the Crusaders tied the game at 11-11 on a three-point basket from Cade Coffman. CMU's offense exploded over a six minute span, scoring 17 straight unanswered points, highlighted by three three-point baskets from Jonathan Brown. The Crusaders managed to trim the lead to 10, as Central entered the halftime break with a 41-31 advantage. 

CMU held off Evangel in the second half, holding a double-digit lead for the majority of the frame. Evangel was only able to trim the lead to eight points with 11:26 to go before Central converted on back-to-back field goals from Amir Pettiford and Chandler Bevans to push their lead to 12. 

The Crusaders never came any closer, as the Eagles claimed the 13-point victory. 

Bevans led the offense with 19 points on eight-of-13 shooting from the field and three-of-five from beyond the arc. The junior also grabbed eight rebounds, nearly earning a double-double. 

Brown posted his third straight double-digit scoring effort as an Eagle, recording 16 points including four three-point makes. Camara rounded out the double-figure scoring for Central, collecting 12 points along with eight rebounds one assist, and a block. 

CMU won the battle of the boards, grabbing 43 rebounds compared to just 33 for the Crusaders. The trio of Bevans, Camara, and Pettiford all collected eight rebounds. 

Central only shot 50-percent from the charity stripe but knocked down an impressive 45.5-percent of their three point attempts. The Eagle defense also forced 20 Evangel turnovers on nine steals. 

CMU will begin a quick two-game road trip with a matchup against Baker University on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. in Baldwin City, Kan. The Wildcats claimed the early victory between the two teams with a 63-51 win over Central back on Dec. 10 in Fayette.

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