Twelve different players scored as the Centre College men's basketball team earned a 71-47 win over Berry College Sunday, Jan. 20 in Danville, Ky.

The Colonels hit three of their first four shots to jump out to a 9-2 lead within the first three minutes of the game. A lay-up by Jake Wright cut the lead to 9-6, but Centre out-scored the Vikings 17-8 over the next 7:39 for their biggest lead of the half at 26-14.

Berry (4-13 overall, 1-5 SAA) scored six unanswered points to cut the lead to six only to see senior Matt Griggs (Cincinnati, Ohio) knock down a three to give the Colonels a 29-20 lead at the break.

Neither team shot particularly well in the opening half. Centre made 11 of 34 shot attempts (32.4%), while the Vikings shot only 35.0% (7-20). Wright was five of seven for Berry in the half, leaving the rest of the team only two of 14 from the field. 

Sophomore Josh Karsner (Frankfort, Ky.) hit a pair of three's to open the second half as the Colonels scored nine unanswered points to extend the lead to 38-20.

The Vikings scored the next five points to get within 13, but would get no closer the rest of the way. Freshman Tyler Wesley's (Crestwood, Ky.) two-handed dunk over a Berry defender with 7:42 to play stretched the lead to 20, and Centre would go on to finish with the 24-point victory.

While Berry struggled again in the second half with its shooting (36.0%), the Colonels shot much better hitting 16 of 29 (55.2%) to finish the game at 42.9% for the game.

Of the 12 players to score for Centre, eight scored at least five points, led by Karsner and senior Bryon Ellis (Russell Springs, Ky.). Karsner finished with 11 points, six rebounds and two steals, and Ellis also scored 11 in 30 minutes of action.

Wright paced the Vikings with 14 points off the bench and Jonathan Abrams added 10 points in the defeat.

The Colonels, now winners of four straight games, and 10 of their last 11, improve to 12-3 overall and 5-1 in the SAA. 

Up next is another home SAA contest Friday, Jan. 25 against Hendrix College. Start time is set for 8 p.m. in Alumni Gymnasium in Danville, Ky.