DANVILLE, Ky. – No late-game heroics were needed by Centre men's basketball Saturday evening, as the Colonels defeated visiting Covenant, 78-58, in their home opener inside Alumni Gymnasium.
After two narrow road victories – each requiring last-second baskets – Centre (4-1) was able to pull away in the second half against Covenant (3-1).
Jacob Bates led the team with 25 points and nine rebounds, while
Dawson Crump totaled 16 points and eight boards off the bench.
Perry Ayers finished with 12 points to move on the doorstep of the 1,000-point club, sitting at 998.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Both sides came out of the gates firing, combining to sink 16 of the game's first 28 shots.
Jacob Bates had seven early points for the Colonels.
- The Scots' 5-for-8 start from behind the 3-point line helped them take 21-18 lead midway through the period.
- Following the media break, however, Centre ripped off a 16-2 run to take command. Six different Colonels scored during the stretch.
- The Colonels would carry a 38-30 advantage into the break, as the Scots went 0-for-6 from long range after their hot start.
- Centre's lead swelled to 14 after a four-point play from Crump near the 16-minute mark, but the Scots trimmed it back to a two-possession game at 50-44 at the under-12 media timeout.
- An 18-6 Colonel run – which included 3-pointers from Ayers, Crump and
Bailey Rakes – all but sealed the victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Centre shot 50% or better (29-55) for the third time this season, while limiting Covenant to just under 38% (22-58) overall.
- After starting the game 5 of 8 from long range, the Scots finished 3 of 22 the rest of the way. The Colonels hit 8 of their 21 3-point tries, led by Crump's 3-for-6 effort.
- Bates finished 9 of 15 from the field, going 6 of 8 from the free throw line. Ayers, who was 5 of 11 overall, led the team with four assists.
- Centre was plus-five (36-31) in rebounding overall, finishing with an 86% defensive rebounding percentage.
INTERVIEW
UP NEXT
Centre is back on the road next Tuesday, Nov. 26, traveling to take on Franklin. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
