Fayette, Mo. - The No. 17 Central Methodist women's basketball team opened the 2021-22 regular season campaign with a convincing 92-49 victory over KCAC member Ottawa University Wednesday night inside Puckett Field House. 

Central improves to 1-0 to start the year, having now won their season-opener for the third consecutive season. 

The Eagles opened the first quarter on a 21-8 scoring run and never looked back. CMU outscored the Braves by double-digits in each of the first three quarters, leading by as many as 45 points late in the game. 

Five different Eagles reached double figures including three in the starting lineup. NAIA All-American Leianya Massenat led the offense with 22 points on eight-of-13 shooting from the field and a perfect four-for-four from the charity stripe. She also tallied four rebounds, three steals, two assists, and a block. 

Newcomer Arleighshya McElroy tallied 21 points while shooting 50-percent from the field including four three-point baskets. She nearly earned a double-double with eight rebounds, along with three assists and two blocks. 

Jaicia Canady collected 14 points in 34 minutes in her first game as an Eagle. The Fort Worth, Texas native dished out a team-leading six assists and matched McElroy with three steals. 

The duo of Leah Johnson and Kedranea' Addison each recorded 12 points, while Johnson grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds, good enough to earn her first double-double of 2021. In addition, Johnson blocked three shots and picked up a steal. 

Overall, the Eagles' offense shot 47.1-percent from the field including 31.8-percent from beyond the arc and 73.1-percent from the charity stripe. CMU's defense held the Braves to a 25.4-percent shooting percentage for the night and forced 18 turnovers on 13 steals. 

Central will host Indiana Wesleyan in a non-conference matchup Friday, Nov. 5 at 12:00 p.m. inside Puckett Field House. 

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