The Centre women's basketball team improved to 10-5 on the season and moved to 4-2 in conference play after a close 60-59 win over Hendrix on Friday, January 14 in Danville, Ky.
Hendrix took an early 3-0 lead before the Colonels were able to build up a six point lead with 17:54 to go in the first half, following a made layup by junior Maggie Prewitt (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) to put the score at 9-3.
The Warriors fought back and regained the lead at 15-13 with 12:54 on the clock, when Anna Roane hit a three pointer.
Centre would not let Hendrix hold onto the lead for long and with 9:32 to go in the first half sophomore Chelsea Benham (Taswell, Ind.) converted on two free throw attempts making it a 19-17 game.
The defense stepped up for the Colonels, while offensively the team was able to knock down their shots building their lead back up to as many as seven points. M. Prewitt went 1-2 from the free throw line with 7:28 remaining in the first half of action to put the score at 26-19.
Hendrix came within two points, 27-25, with just under 4:00 to go in the first half following a made layup and a free throw by Samantha Devlin.
Junior Jane Goatley (Springfield, Ky.) buried a three pointer and Benham hit a layup to regain a seven point lead, 32-25, for the Colonels with 3:03 remaining on the clock.
Centre went into the break ahead by a score of 34-29. The Colonels shot 31% from the field and 87.5% from the free throw line during the first half of play. Hendrix converted on 38.5% of their shots from the floor and 37.5% of their free throw attempts.
Senior Angela Tronzo (Bardstown, Ky.) and junior Lauren Huter (Louisville, Ky.) each made a layup for the Colonels to begin the second half to put them up by a score of 38-29.
The Colonels were able to hold onto the lead during the entire second half, but the Warriors would keep it close.
During the final 3:43 of play Hendrix made a run, cutting into the Colonels lead slowly. Jamie Tate put the score at 58-56 with 0:22 remaining in the game following a made layup and with 0:02 on the clock Roane made it a 60-59 game after making a three point basket.
Hendrix fouled Tronzo following the made three point shot. Tronzo missed the first free throw attempt and would intentionally miss the second one and Hendrix was unable to get a shot off before time expired, as Centre went on to win the game 60-59.
Centre made 35.8% of their shots from the floor and 70.4% of their free throw attempts during the game, while the Warriors hit 38.6% of their shots from the floor and they went 6-12 from the foul line.
Benham led the Colonels in scoring with 18 points, as Huter and Prewitt each grabbed eight boards. Prewitt also posted four assists and two steals in the game. Goatley had two steals, as well in the win. Huter recorded five blocked shots for Centre.
Leading the way in scoring for Hendrix was Roane with 17 points. Jamie Tate had nine rebounds and two steals for the Warriors.
Next up for the Colonels will be a game against Millsaps College on Sunday, January 16 at 12:00 p.m. in Danville, Ky. M. Prewitt will be honored before the game for scoring her 1,000 point against Sewanee on Friday, January 7.
