CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. – Late game heroics lifted Centre men's basketball to a thrilling 77-76 victory against No. 14 Wabash Thursday evening, as the Colonels escaped Chadwick Court on top after trailing by as many as 12 points.
 
The Colonels (2-1) took the last of 14 lead changes with just 1.6 on the clock on Jacob Bates' bank shot, capping a late stretch that saw the visitors go on a 10-0 run. Dawson Crump contributed five points, two rebounds and the assist on Bates' game-winner during the final minutes.
 
Wabash (0-1), which entered the season ranked No. 14 in the D3hoops.com Top 25, knocked down 13 3-pointers at a 50-percent clip, but was forced into 18 turnovers and missed key free throws late in the loss.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- The opening 20 minutes alone featured seven ties and nine lead changes, although the Colonels held the advantage for most of the period.
- Perry Ayers finished with 12 in the first half, while Crump and Drew Wilson combined for 13 off the bench.
- Wabash hit 6 of 11 from long range, but a plus-5 edge at the free throw line helped the Colonels carry a slim 39-37 lead into the half.
- Although Centre opened the second half with a quick offensive push, a flurry of 3-pointers helped Wabash rally for a 61-51 lead.
- The Little Giants would go on a 22-5 run, buoyed by a strong performance from All-American Jack Davidson, and led by as many as 12 points with eight minutes to play.
- A Wabash layup at the 3:12 mark made it 76-67 in favor of the home side, but it proved to be the last points the Little Giants would score.
- Consecutive 3-pointers from Carter Baughman and Crump trimmed the deficit to 76-73 with 46 seconds on the clock.
- After a missed Wabash free throw, Crump went coast to coast for a layup that made it 76-75.
- The Little Giants missed the front end of another one-and-one on the next trip, and again Crump pulled in the rebound as the clock dwindled.
- On the other end, Crump found Bates rolling toward the hoop, and the senior forward banked in the eventual game winner to complete the comeback.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Thursday was the first meeting between the two programs since 1986-87.
- Ayers led Centre with 19 points, adding six boards, three assists and a steal, while Bates totaled 15 points, six rebounds, a block and a steal.
- Crump's clutch play down the stretch was part of a 14-point performance for the junior, who was also tasked with covering Davidson for much of the evening on defense.
- Centre had just eight turnovers to Wabash's 18, and also had a sizeable 29-4 advantage in bench points. The Colonels also finished with more points in the paint (32-28) and in the fast break (11-4).
- Wabash (27 of 54) and Centre (28 of 56) each finished an even 50% from the floor. The Little Giants hit 13 of 26 3-pointers, while the Colonels converted 7 of 20.  
 
UP NEXT
Centre meets rival Transylvania next Wednesday, Nov. 20, in Lexington, Ky. The Colonels and Pioneers will meet twice this season for the first time since 1996-97 – the second contest coming Dec. 30 in Danville.