Fayette, Mo. - The No. 1 Central Methodist Women's Basketball team survived a defensive battle against No. 8 Dakota Wesleyan, 57-53, in the Second Round of the NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament Wednesday night inside Puckett Field House.
The Eagles keep their perfect record intact at 33-0 and advance to the Final Site next week in Sioux City, Iowa. Dakota Wesleyan sees their season come to an end with a final record of 23-9.
It was business as usual in the first quarter, as Central held a 23-15 lead over the Tigers at the end of the first frame. However, Dakota Wesleyan cranked up the defensive pressure in the second, holding CMU to just eight second quarter points, their fewest in a single game this season.
Leading 31-28 coming out of the halftime break, the Eagles were outscored 16-14 in the third quarter, holding just a one-point lead heading into the final frame. At the 7:36 mark of the fourth, Central trailed for the first time in the game, 48-47, following a made jumper by DWU's Matti Reiner.
Central's offense went cold for nearly four minutes of the fourth. However, CMU's defense kept the Eagles in the game, never allowing Dakota Wesleyan to stretch their lead to more than two points.
Back-to-back free throw makes from Leah Johnson would tie the game at 51-51 with 3:09 remaining. Jaicia Canady would also knock down one-of-two free throws to put Central out in front with a little over 90 seconds remaining.
Momentum continued to shift in favor of Central following a defensive stop and an and-one bucket from Johnson to push Central's lead to three. Dakota Wesleyan would come up empty on the following possession and were forced to foul.
Zutorya Cook and Massenat made three-of-four three throws in the final 20 seconds to seal the victory for Central.
Massenat led Central's offensive charge with 19 points, including two key free throws in the closing moments of the game. The sophomore from Trenton, N.J. also added five rebounds, two steals, a block, and an assist.
Daryna Bachkarova played every minute for Central, tallying 16 points on seven-of-11 shooting from the floor.
Johnson secured a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. She finished the night with five blocks, two steals, and an assist.
Canady stuffed the stat sheet with seven rebounds, six assists, and six steals while anchoring Central's defense.
It was a tough shooting night for both sides, as the Eagles shot just 31.3-percent from the floor and Dakota Wesleyan 32.8 percent.
The Tigers won the battle of the boards, grabbing 51 rebounds compared to 41 for CMU. However, Central's defense forced 21 Tiger turnovers on 12 steals.
The Eagles will next face No. 5 seeded Texas Wesleyan Monday, March 13 at 1:00 p.m. in the Round of 16 in Sioux City, Iowa.
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