The Central Methodist women concluded 2023 with a 64-62 come-from-behind victory over Philander Smith inside Puckett Field House on New Year’s Eve.

The Eagles improve to 7-5 overall, while the Panthers now stand at 9-5. 

CMU struggled in the opening frame, as they were outscored by PSU 21-14, but answered with a run in the second quarter. The Lady Eagles outscored PS 29 -12. To take a 10-point lead into the break, 43-33.

Philander cut the deficit to as little as six points in the third quarter to enter the final frame down 52-46. 

CMU stretched its lead back out to double digits with just under five minutes to play in the game, but the Panthers scored six unanswered points to cut Central’s lead to four late. 

A crucial two-point basket by Miaya Ware with 1:43 left to play pushed Central’s lead to 64-58. That six-point cushion made all the difference as PSU scored the last four points of the game. The Panthers had an opportunity to win on a buzzer-beater with seven seconds left, but the 3-point shot bounced off the backboard as time expired, allowing Central to escape with a narrow two-point victory.

Junior guard Zutorya Cook paced the Eagle offense with 14 points. The native of Marietta, Ga., also added five rebounds, five assists, and four steals. B’Aunce Carter and Jodie Bass each tallied 13 points. Carter finished just short of a double-double with nine rebounds. 

Central sank only two 3-point baskets on the night, courtesy of Bass, who also converted 3-for-4 attempts from the charity stripe. It marks the Boonville native’s first career double-digit scoring performance.

Sharay Trotter rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points. The junior guard added seven rebounds and two assists in 35 minutes of action.

Central stays home for four of its next five games as it opens the Heart Conference stretch. The Lady Eagles host rival Missouri Valley College tonight (Wednesday) with a 5:30 p.m. tipoff inside Puckett Field House. On Saturday, they take on Park with a home tipoff at 2 p.m.