Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist women's basketball opened its 2020-21 season with a convincing win over Kansas Christian College, 90-36 Friday night inside Puckett Fieldhouse. 

With the win, the Eagles open the season 1-0 for the second straight year. Kansas Christian falls to 0-4. 

Central jumped out to a 27-11 lead in the first quarter before entering halftime leading the Falcons, 57-17. CMU cruised through the final two quarters of play, outscoring KCC 33-19 to come away with the 54-point victory. 

Freshman guard Leaianya Massenat scored a game-high 20 points along with three rebounds, three assists, four steals, and a block in her college debut. Leah Johnson also recorded 15 points and grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds, earning her first career double-double as an Eagle. Michelle Nicholls and Savannah Long were the final Eagles to reach double-digit scoring, recorded 14 and 11 points respectively. 

Junior R'Manie Pulling stuffed the stat sheet with five points, six steals, seven assists, and four rebounds. 

As a team, Central converted on 35-of-82 of its field goal attempts, good for 42.7-percent. CMU also knocked down nine three-point baskets on 25 attempts. The Eagles won the battle of the boards, grabbing 59 total rebounds compared to just 29 for Kansas Christian. 

The Eagles defense forced 30 Falcons turnovers on 20 steals and held Kansas Christian to 27.1-percent shooting from the field 

Central is scheduled to play Harris-Stowe on Monday, Nov. 16 at 7:00 p.m. inside Puckett Fieldhouse. 

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