Dubuque, Iowa - No. 2 Central Methodist Women's Basketball earned a convincing Top 10 win over No. 8 nationally ranked Clarke University by the score of 79-61 Saturday afternoon in Dubuque, Iowa. 

The Eagles complete the regular season sweep over the Pride and improve their record to 23-0 and 17-0 in the Heart. Clarke falls to 21-3 and 15-3 in conference action. 

Holding a 37-31 lead coming out of the locker room at halftime, Central turned up the defensive pressure in the third quarter, outscoring the Pride 23-10. 

Despite Clarke tallying 20 fourth quarter points, it was not enough to hang with the No. 2 team in the country, as Central would go on to earn an 18 point victory. Central led every step of the way, with its largest lead being 24 points midway through the fourth quarter. 

Central's offense featured three Eagles in double figures including two scoring 20 plus. Leianya Massenat led the way with 25 points on nine-of-18 shooting from the floor. Daryna Bachkarova played every available minute for CMU, pouring in 20 points which included four three-point baskets. The native of Minsk, Belarus also added four assists, three steals, and two blocks. 

Zutorya Cook was the final Eagle to crack double figures with 13 points. She nearly recorded a double-double with nine rebounds and added two steals with a pair of assists. 

Leah Johnson chipped in nine points and grabbed seven rebounds while battling foul trouble for a majority of the game. 

The Eagles shot 50 percent from the field and nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc. Central's defense held one of the country's top shooting teams to 31.3 percent while also forcing 12 turnovers on six steals. 

Clarke did hold the advantage on the glass, grabbing 47 rebounds compared to 41 for CMU. 

Central returns home to host the Evangel Valor for its annual Pink Out game Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m. inside Puckett Field House. 

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