DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre men's basketball used a 48-point second half to defeat Franklin Tuesday evening in Alumni Gymnasium, 80-71, remaining undefeated for the young season.
Sparked by senior
Tucker Sine, who had 10 points in the opening minutes of the second period, the Colonels (5-0) rallied late in a back-and-forth brawl against the Grizzlies (1-4).
Sine finished with 15 points for the game, as did junior
Perry Ayers, but Centre once again flexed its depth as 10 individuals scored at least four points.
HIGHLIGHTS
- A tight contest was evident right from the opening tip, as both teams scored their first three possessions.
- Centre went 12-for-15 from the floor to open the game, holding a 21-18 lead by the second media break.
- T Colonels closed the half on a 3-for-12 cold spell, however, as Franklin regained a 29-27 lead at the under-4 media timeout.
- Franklin would carry a 35-32 lead into the half, going plus-7 at the free throw line while benefiting from 10 Centre turnovers.
- Sine provided the immediate spark needed to start the second half, scoring 10 early points – including a pair of 3-pointers – helping the Colonels regain the lead.
- Near the midway point of the period, Sine sank a bucket to give Centre its first double digit lead of the night at 61-50.
- The Grizzlies wouldn't go away, cutting the lead to 69-68 by the four-minute mark.
- Centre went on a 11-0 run from that point, though, with Ayers providing seven points in the game-clinching run.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Centre shot a season-best 54.4 percent (31 of 57) overall, which included a 26-for-37 clip from inside the perimeter.
- The Colonels out-rebounded the Grizzlies 35-32, with
Jacob Bates hauling in a team-high nine rebounds. Bates also led the squad with three assists and two steals.
- Centre held a sizeable 33-13 advantage in bench points, led by
Dawson Crump's nine on a 4-for-6 shooting effort.
- There were three ties and 10 lead changes throughout the contest.
UP NEXT
Centre opens Southern Athletic Association next Saturday, Dec. 1, against Sewanee. Tip-off from Alumni Gym is set for 3 p.m. ET.
