Fayette, Mo. - The No. 17 Central Methodist women's basketball program cruised past No. 11 Indiana Wesleyan by a final score of 86-55 Friday afternoon inside Puckett Field House. 

With the win, Central improves to 2-0 overall while the Wildcats suffered their first loss of the season, falling to 3-1. 

The Eagles jumped out to a quick 15-3 first quarter lead and never looked back. Central outscored IWU by 11 points in the first quarter and held a 44-26 lead at the halftime break. 

CMU and Indiana Wesleyan were fairly even in the third quarter, before Central closed the game on a 24-15 scoring run in the fourth to secure the 31-point victory. 

Altogether, four of Central's five starters scored in double-figures. Arleighshya McElroy played every minute for the Eagles and nearly posted a triple-double with a team leading 28 points, eight rebounds and eight assits. She also picked up two steals and a block. She shot 60-percent from the field which included three three-point baskets. 

Freshman forward Leah Johnson nearly picked up a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds. Daryna Bachkarova followed with 14 points, four rebounds, three steals and an assist. 

Daesjah Ely was the final Eagle to land in double-figures, as she scored 10 points. 

As a team, Central shot 51.7-percent from the field, 31.3-percent from beyond the arc and 70.4-percent from the free throw line. 

The Eagles' defense was stifling from start to finish as they forced 27 Wildcat turnovers on 17 steals. 2021 Heart Freshman of the Year Leianya Massenat recorded a game-high five steals followed by Kedranea' Addison who collected four. 

Overall, CMU held the Wildcats' sharp-shooters to just 29.5-percent shooting from the field and 16.1-percent from the three-point line. 

Indiana Wesleyan just edged Central on the boards, as the Wildcats grabbed 39 rebounds compared to 37 for the Eagles. 

Central will next host Kansas Wesleyan Saturday, Nov. 13 at 2:00 p.m. inside Puckett Field House. 

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