Atchison, Kan. - The Central Methodist women's basketball team dropped a road contest to Benedictine College by a score of 81-62 Saturday afternoon in Atchison, Kan.

The Eagles drop to 6-5 and 5-5 in conference action, while the Ravens improve to 9-4 and 7-2 in the Heart. Both squads split the regular season doubleheader, as Central claimed a victory at home back on Nov. 28 in Fayette. 

Benedictine scored the first basket of the game and went on a 7-0 run to open up the first quarter. The Ravens stretched their lead to 14-4 before Central scored six straight points to trim the lead to 16-10 at the end of the first frame.

The Eagles were quick to score in the second period off a basket from Kellymar Ramirez, but the Ravens' high-powered offense and sharpshooters kept Central at bay, as they were outscored 29-14 in the second quarter. CMU entered halftime trailing 45-24.

In the third quarter, the Ravens amplified their lead to 25 points with 1:52 left in the period, and in the fourth quarter, Benedictine started with a 12-4 run in the first four minutes of action. BC would ultimately go on to win the contest by a final score of 81-62. 

Two Eagles reached double figures, as Leaianya Massenat finished the game with 23 points, five rebounds, and four steals. Daryna Bachkarova followed with 14 points while adding four rebounds and three steals. Michelle Nicholls and Ramirez added nine and seven points respectively.

As a team, Central shot a 34.4-percent from the field compared to a 49.2-percent for Benedictine. Despite committing 23 turnovers, the Ravens shot 56.3-percent from beyond the arc and won the battle of the boards, grabbing 48 rebounds compared to Central's 28. 

Central Methodist will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m. against Mount Mercy inside Puckett Fieldhouse. 

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