Haskell Indian Nations University men’s basketball coach Melvin Imotichey knew his team couldn’t match up with Central Methodist College’s big men on Tuesday.

So he decided on a pressure-zone defense, which would work as long as the Eagles didn’t shoot well from the outside.

Problem was, when Central Methodist wasn’t hitting the outside shot, the Eagles were feeding the ball inside to their big men, helping CMC earn a 79-61 victory at Coffin Complex.

“We don’t have the lineup to match up man-to-man so we tried the different zones, but then they hit the threes,” said Imotichey, whose team fell to 1-3.

Central Methodist connected on 8-of-15 three-pointers in the first half, and Haskell made just 1 of 7. The difference from behind the three-point arc gave the Eagles a 45-25 halftime lead after starting the game on a 17-2 run.

Things didn’t improve for Haskell in the second half, despite the Eagles cooling down from outside.

Central Methodist connected on just 3-of-14 three-pointers, but the shots the Eagles hit were timely.

Even when the Fightin’ Indians inched within 15 points behind a full-court press, the Eagles made clutch shots and kept pounding the glass.

“We’re not a talented enough team to keep giving up second chances like that,” Imotichey said. “If we do that much this season, it’s going to be tough for us to win.”

Outside shooters Shaun Fanger, Zach Towe and Eric Kleffner were hard on the Indians, combining for 46 points – including 10 three-pointers.

Haskell was led by guard Danny Polk’s 11 points. Forward Marcus Oliveria scored 10 and grabbed six rebounds.

Haskell Indian Nations University junior center Allen Knowsgun arcs in a shot around Central Methodist's Jared Sheets during Tuesday's game at Haskell. The Fightin' Indians lost to the Eagles, 79-61.

Imotichey’s team was playing without one of its best players – Jason Smith, who might be out for the season because of a muscle tear.

Imotichey said his team can only keep working.

“Nothing we can do about that one,” he said.

“We just have to come out tomorrow and think about improving on the mistakes we made and get ready for this weekend.”

Central Methodist 79, Haskell 61

Central Methodist (79)

Matt Martin 2-6 3-3 8, Cody Myler 0-3 1-2 1, Shaun Fanger 5-7 0-1 13, Terry Tauai 0-3 0-0 0, Zach Towe 5-10 0-0 13, Tim Chitwood 0-1 0-0 0, Eric Kleffner 8-16 0-0 20, Tim Gilmore 0-4 4-4 4, Joe Hardin 1-3 0-0 2, Jared Sheets 2-3 0-0 4, Mike Wilkens 0-3 0-0 0, Jordan Willer 0-0 0-0 0, Justin Cornell 7-10 0-0 14. Totals 30-69 8-10 79.

Haskell (61)

Milan RomanNose 2-4 1-2 5, Justin Falleaf 2-6 0-0 5, Jason Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Kenny Lovato 2-4 1-2 5, Danny Polk 4-15 3-6 11, Marcus Oliveria 3-9 4-4 10, Leroy Silva 2-2 0-0 5, Layatalati Hill 0-0 0-0 0, Michael King 2-4 2-2 6, Andy Deal 4-17 0-0 9, Allen Knowsgun 2-7 1-2 5. Totals 23-68 12-18 61.

Central

Three-point goals – Central Methodist 11-29 (Kleffner 4-9, Fanger 3-3, Towe 3-8, Martin 1-3, Tauai 0-1, Chitwood 0-1, Gilmore 0-1, Wilkens 0-1, Hardin 0-2); Haskell 3-19 (Silva 1-1, Falleaf 1-3, Deal 1-10, Polk 0-5). Turnovers – Central Methodist 15, Haskell 14. Total Fouls – Central Methodist 17, Haskell 12.