McPherson, Kan. – With starting guard Chloe Clevenger sidelined by injury, Erica Jaramillo stepped into the starting lineup on Wednesday afternoon as Central Christian dropped a 49–28 decision to undefeated Langston University in Sooner Athletic Conference play.
The Tigers tried to slow down a Langston squad that entered the day 6–0 overall and 2–0 in SAC play. Both defenses set the tone early, with Central holding the Lions to just 11 points in the opening quarter and 22 in the first half, but offensive rhythm was hard to come by as the Tigers went into the locker room trailing 22–12.
Central’s best stretch of the second quarter came when C’Niyah Williams went to work inside and Cristina Laudan and Kenedi Griffin added points at the line, trimming the deficit to 13–11. Langston answered with a late surge to push the margin back to double figures at the break.
The Lions created separation in the third quarter, turning Tiger turnovers into quick points and outscoring Central 17–7 in the frame. Langston finished with 26 points off 32 Tiger turnovers and held a 42–32 edge on the glass.
Laudan led Central Christian with 10 points, knocking down 2-of-4 from beyond the arc and going a perfect 4-for-4 at the free throw line while adding four rebounds, three steals, and 2 blocks. Williams gave the Tigers a big lift off the bench with 5 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Jaramillo, making her first start in a Tiger uniform, logged 10 minutes, grabbed two rebounds, and helped anchor the perimeter defense against Langston’s guards.
Langston was led by Areyanna Hunter, who poured in a game-high 26 points and added six steals. Despite Hunter’s big night, the Tigers held the Lions to just 31.7 percent shooting from the field and 23.3 percent from three, but Central’s own 22.2 percent shooting and the turnover differential proved too much to overcome.
With the loss, Central Christian moves to 4–5 overall and 0–3 in SAC play, while Langston improves to 7–0 and 3–0 in the league. The Tigers will take an 8 day break, and will next play at Mid America Christian University on December 4th.
