Tough sledding for Eutectics on the road in season opener

(Photo courtesy of Katelyn Streeter)

FAYETTE, MO. - Wednesday night in Fayette, Missouri, head coach Danny Brown and his squad opened up the 2023-24 men's basketball season. The Central Methodist Eagles provided the opening test for the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, who were coming off a 7-22 season last year. These two last met in the sixth game of the 2021 season with the Eagles winning 80-60.

The Eagles eventually got things rolling following a scoreless opening two minutes to the game and in the end, rolled to a 116-60 triumph over the Eutectics. CMU shot an impressive 53.9% for the game while UHSP shot 32.3%. It was an impressive night on the glass for the home team as they outrebounded the visitors 58-36 led by TreVon Smith who had 11 boards to go along with 11 points. Dwight Newsome came off the bench to lead the Eutectics with 16 points and six rebounds.

Central Methodist used a late 15-5 run late in the first half to take a 58-28 lead at the break. Newsome scored the first points for UHSP in the second half with 16:52 left following a 16-0 run to start the half by CMU as the Eagles built a 74-28 lead.

Jas Suvalija had nine points in his UHSP debut and other newcomers Brady Bowers and Moctar Keita each had eight points. Central Methodist put six players in double-digits lead by Isaiah Williams who finished with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting. UHSP had 17 turnovers to just seven for CMU while the Eagles dominated inside outscoring the Eutectics 76-26 in the paint.

The Eutectics (0-1) will make their home debut on Saturday when Baptist Bible comes to the UHSP Gymnasium for a 3pm tip-off.