DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre men's basketball used a strong second half to defeat Hendrix Sunday afternoon in Alumni Gymnasium, 72-56, remaining perfect in the Southern Athletic Association.
The Colonels (12-2, 3-0 SAA) outscored the visiting Warriors (5-8, 1-2) by 16 in the second half, shooting a blistering 63% overall while knocking down 6 of 12 from long range.
Centre had four individuals finish in double figures, including
Jacob Bates (16 points),
Perry Ayers (13),
Bailey Rakes (10) and
Jarod Griffin (10).
HIGHLIGHTS
- Centre started just 4 of 15 from the floor, as Hendrix built a slim 13-10 advantage midway through the half.
- The two sides went back and forth down the stretch, resulting in a 26-26 tie at the half. Bates finished off a slick Ayers pass on the final play of the period to level the score.
- Hendrix's Seth Stanley drained a 3-pointer right out of the half, and the Warriors worked their way to a 41-36 lead by the 14-minute mark.
- Centre would go on a game-changing 10-0 run, grabbing a 46-41 midway through the period. Ayers scored eight of the Colonels' 10 points.
- The Colonels took their first double figure lead following
Jarod Griffin's layup near the five-minute mark, making it 59-49 and effectively sealing the win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Centre went from shooting 35% in the first half to 63% in the second, hitting six 3-pointers in the final 20 minutes.
- The Colonels held the Warriors to just 37% (20-55) shooting overall and 7 of 25 from 3-point land.
- Centre assisted on 15 of 24 field goals, led by Bates' season-high five dimes.
Dawson Crump added four.
- Seventeen of Centre's 20 points off turnovers came in the second half, as the Colonels forced 11 Hendrix miscues.
- Centre's bench outscored Hendrix's 20-14, including a 13-3 mark in the second half.
- The game featured eight ties and four lead changes.
UP NEXT
Centre travels to Atlanta Friday, facing Oglethorpe at 8 p.m. ET.
