LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. – Centre men's basketball shook off opening night rust and escaped with a narrow 69-66 victory Tuesday evening at Covenant, starting the season with a road win for the first time since 2014-15.
Late free throws from
Bailey Rakes and
Tucker Sine helped seal a game that featured 15 ties and 22 lead changes. Centre's 1-0 start moves Covenant to 0-2 on the year.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Neither side was crisp to start the non-conference affair, with the score tied 9-9 at the under-12 media break and a combined 11 turnovers between the teams.
- The Scots' Bailey Spragg scored 14 first-half points to help Covenant edge out to a 33-29 lead by the break. Centre was 10-for-14 from inside the perimeter, but just 2-for-11 from long distance.
- A 3-pointer from Sine to open the second period would signal better things to come offensively, as Centre hit another from range just a minute later.
- The biggest lead from either side would be just six points, coming when rookie
Dustin Gerald hit a layup to make it 63-57 with three minutes remaining.
- Covenant came back, tying the game and eventually grabbing a 64-63 lead after Will Crumly's traditional 3-point play at the 1:38 mark
- Rakes' aggressive drive resulted in two free throws on the ensuing Colonel possession, but the Spragg quickly answered to give the Scots a 66-65 lead.
- Fouled on the in-bounds, Sine hit a pair of free throws to inch Centre ahead for the last time, 67-66.
- Covenant missed on its next possession and
Art Walker hauled in the defensive rebound. Rakes would hit two more freebies, and Covenant's last two shots to tie the game came up empty.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Sine led the Colonels' balanced scoring with 15 points, and Walker followed with 14 (including 11 in the second half) as both hit 5 of 10 from the field. Walker also led Centre with eight boards.
- Gerald went 4-for-5 for eight points and added two rebounds in his collegiate debut.
RJ Smith also tallied his first career bucket in the win.
- Rakes,
Perry Ayers and
Dawson Crump each dished three assists.
- The Colonels out-rebounded the Scots 36-27, and finished with a sizeable 18-4 advantage in second chance points.
- Eleven individuals scored for the Colonels and 12 saw action.
UP NEXT
Centre returns to action next Monday, Nov. 19, hosting in-state rival Transylvania for a 7:30 p.m. tip in Alumni Gym.
