Fayette, Mo. — The Central Methodist Women's Basketball team saw its three-game winning streak come to an end Wednesday night inside Puckett Field House, falling to Missouri Valley College, 61-56.

With the loss, CMU moves to 6-4 overall and 3-2 in the Heart of America Conference, while the Vikings improve to 5-5 and 4-1 in league play.

The Eagles trailed 29-20 at halftime but responded with a strong third quarter, scoring 19 points to cut MVC's lead to just one heading into the final period. The two teams traded baskets throughout the fourth, but Missouri Valley was able to create enough separation down the stretch to secure the five-point victory.

Graduate forward Kaitlyn Patke led CMU with 17 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Alina Riley added 11 points, nine of which came from beyond the arc, along with four rebounds.

Tayla Robinson was the final Eagle to land in double figures with 10 points, while also adding three rebounds and three assists. 

Both teams shot nearly identical percentages from the field, with CMU at 37.9 percent and MVC at 37.7 percent. The difference came from the three-point range, where the Vikings connected at a 40.7 percent clip compared to the Eagles' 24 percent.

Central Methodist returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 6, when they travel to Lawrence, Kansas, to take on Haskell at 4:00 p.m.

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