LEXINGTON, Ky. – For the second game in a row Jacob Bates had his number called in the final seconds, and the senior once again delivered, capping a thrilling 58-57 victory against rival Transylvania Wednesday evening in the Clive M. Beck Center.
 
With just 4.6 on the clock and Centre trailing by one, Bates dribbled down the lane and laid in the game-winner. It came less than a week after his last-second bucket in a 77-76 upset at Wabash last Thursday evening.
 
The Colonels (3-1) escaped the raucous environment to earn their seventh win against the Pioneers (3-1) in the past eight meetings.
 
Perry Ayers led the visitors with 17 points, while Bates (12 points) and Art Walker (10) also finished in double figures.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Centre's first four made field goals of the evening were from beyond the 3-point line, including two early triples from Bailey Rakes.
- The Colonels' first two-point field goal didn't fall until halfway through the period, but their defense was keeping them ahead as the Pioneers struggled to make shots.
- Transy would shoot under 24% overall as a team in the first half, and Centre used a late 9-0 scoring run to carry a 30-19 lead into the break.
- After 3-pointers from Perry Ayers and Carter Baughman, Centre's lead swelled to 14 at 36-22.
- The Pioneers, who hit just one 3-pointer in the entire first half, started heating up from beyond the arc as the second period progressed.
- Transy stormed all the way back, outscoring Centre 21-6 across an extended stretch of the second half, eventually taking a 43-42 lead with under seven minutes to play.
- Ayers carried Centre's attack for a handful of possessions, scoring the team's next six points.
- Zach Larimore connected on three consecutive 3-pointers for the Pioneers, though, sending the crowd into a frenzy and helping the home side take a late 57-52 lead.
- Bates hit a free throw on the ensuing Centre possession, and following a Transy turnover, Ayers drained a 3-pointer with a hand in his face to trim the deficit to 57-56.
- Ayers came up huge on the other end, blocking Lucas Gentry's jumper as Rakes grabbed the defensive board.
- Greg Mason called for a timeout with 4.6 seconds on the clock, and Bates delivered the final blow to complete Centre's second come-from-behind road victory of the past week.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Centre shot just under 37% (19-52) overall, going 9 of 23 from long range. After its meager effort in the first half, Transy finished at 33% (22-66) overall. The Pioneers hit seven of their eight 3-pointers in the second period.
- The Colonels went 11-for-13 at the charity stripe, sinking six more freebies than the Pioneers.
- Centre held a 16-11 advantage in points off turnovers, forcing 12 Transy turnovers with a season-high seven steals.
- Ayers added three rebounds, three blocks and two steals to his 17 points, while Bates contributed five rebounds, a block and a steal.
- Walker led the Colonels with six boards, adding three assists, and Baughman led the way defensively with three steals, adding a team-high four dimes.
- The Colonels and Pioneers will meet again Dec. 30 in Danville, marking the first time since 1996-97 the two programs meet twice in the same season.
 
UP NEXT
Centre hosts Covenant this Saturday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m. inside Alumni Gymnasium in the Colonels' home opener.