Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist Women's Basketball team faced Peru State College in their final game before Christmas break Tuesday night inside Puckett Field House.
Central fell to the Bobcats, 75-71.
With the loss, CMU now stands at 6-8 and 3-7 in the Heart of America. Peru improves to 5-7 and 3-5 in conference play.
The Bobcats began strong from the opening tipoff, scoring the first five points of the game.
The Eagles got back within striking distance and trailed 16-13 at the end of the first.
Sharay Trotter had an impressive first quarter and overall game, finishing the night with 24 points and eight rebounds while also adding four blocks to her stat line.
Central entered the locker room at the halftime break trailing by just four. However, the Bobcats extended their lead to 10 entering the final frame.
The Eagles closed the gap in the fourth and ultimately took a 69-68 lead following a two-point make by Trotter with just over a minute remaining.
Peru State jumped back in front almost instantly after capitalizing on a CMU foul and converting both free throws. Trotter answered right back for CMU with another basket to put CMU out in front, 71-70.
Peru responded with a two-point field goal coming out of a timeout. CMU was not able to return the favor on their next possession and were forced to foul. The Bobcats made both free throws to extend their lead to 75-71.
Central still had a chance to tie the game off an inbounds pass with six seconds remaining.
The Eagles' final three-point attempt fell short of the basket. Peru knocked down one more free throw for insurance and escaped with a four-point win. The win for Peru gave the Bobcats just their second win all-time inside Puckett Fieldhouse.
Nautica Washington joined Trotter in double figures with 18 points in addition to five rebounds, five assists, five steals, and a block.
Tristan Porter nearly cracked double figures with eight points while Kaelyn Johnson scored seven points and grabbed 10 rebounds off the bench.
Central struggled from beyond the arc, converting just four-of-19 three-point attempts. The Bobcats also won the rebounding battle, grabbing 47 boards compared to 39 for Peru State.
Central heads into the Christmas break and will next travel to Mount Mercy on Saturday, Jan 4 for a 12:00 p.m. tipoff in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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