ROME, Ga. – Centre men's basketball fell by a 77-68 margin at Berry Sunday, in a meeting between the top two teams in the Southern Athletic Association standings.
The Colonels' loss is their first in the conference slate, as they slip to 13-3 overall and 4-1 in the SAA. The host Vikings, who earn their first ever regular season win over Centre, improve to 11-4 (4-1 SAA) while hitting a season-high 14 threes.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Centre and Berry combined to start just 2-for-13 from the floor over the first few minutes, hitting a couple of matching 3-pointers.
- The Colonels found a bit of a foothold and held a 14-10 lead midway through the opening half. They stretched that to 21-13 following a short 7-0 run capped by a
Tucker Sine 3-pointer.
- The Vikings responded with a 16-4 run, however, and eventually took a 32-29 advantage into the locker rooms.
- Seven of Berry's 11 first half field goals came from behind the 3-point line, and Quinn Atkinson accounted for 13 points while hitting all three of his triples.
- A 5-0 run from the Vikings to start the second half gave them their biggest lead to that point, 37-29, and forced a quick timeout from the Colonels.
- Centre clawed back and tied the game at 43-43 following a 14-6 stretch.
Art Walker and
Dawson Crump each drained 3-pointers during the run.
- Berry was not to be denied, however, continuing to pour in 3-pointers while reclaiming a 10-point lead at 55-45 near the midway point of the half.
- The Vikings led by more than two possessions for the remainder of the contest, fending off a comeback bid from the Colonels.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Berry set season highs with 14 3-pointers and a 52% field goal percentage from deep. The Vikings entered the game in the bottom half of the league in 3FG.
- Walker led Centre with 16 points, 12 of which came in the second half, finishing 4 of 7 from 3-point land.
Jacob Bates followed with 12 points, adding eight rebounds and two blocks, and
Perry Ayers totaled 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.
- Crump added a team-high four assists and two steals to go with his eight points.
- Although they had five fewer offensive rebounds, the Vikings finished with 12 second chance points (10 in the second half) to the Colonels' six.
UP NEXT
Centre continues its road swing next Friday, Jan. 18, facing Millsaps in Jackson, Miss., at 9 p.m. ET.
