DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre men's basketball handed in-state rival Transylvania a loss for the second time this season, winning by an 86-71 final inside Alumni Gymnasium Monday afternoon.
 
The Colonels (10-2) needed a last-second shot from Jacob Bates in their earlier 58-57 win against the Pioneers (6-4) back on Nov. 20. The senior forward assured late heroics wouldn't be needed in Monday's rematch, amassing 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
 
Dawson Crump finished with 16 points off the bench, while Perry Ayers and Art Walker totaled 13 apiece. Bailey Rakes finished with 10, as the five accounted for 84 of Centre's 86 points.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- The visitors jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead before the Colonels could respond with an 8-0 stretch of their own.
- Following a 3-pointer from Brandon Cromwell, Transylvania crept back out to a 20-15 lead with under seven minutes left in the half.
- Bates went on a personal 8-0 run to answer, though, and Centre would out-score Transy 17-8 in the final stages of the half to take a 32-28 lead at the break.
- Walker and Bates hit consecutive threes to open the second period, and the former tallied eight early points to help Centre take a 45-34 advantage near the 16-minute mark.
- The Colonels continued upping their lead, taking a 19-point advantage close to the midway point of the second half.
- Transy wouldn't roll over, however, climbing back to within eight points at 71-63 before the Colonels could pull away for good.
- Centre scored 15 points in the final 3:43, capped by Crump's highlight-worthy and-one layup that brought the Colonel faithful to their feet and put an exclamation point on a hard fought victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Bates was highly efficient, finishing 10 of 12 overall and 11 of 13 from the charity stripe. His 32 points, nine boards and six assists were all game highs for either team.
- Walker's 13 points all came in the second half, while Ayers did much of his damage early on with 10 first-half points.
- Crump added a career-high four steals, three assists and three rebounds to his 16 points.
- Centre shot nearly 60% (26-44) overall while hitting 9 of 17 from 3-point range.
- After going just 3-for-9 from the free throw line in the first half, Centre went 22-for-25 in the second period.
- The Colonels limited the Pioneers to just 5 of 24 (21%) from long range.
 
INTERVIEW



UP NEXT
Centre returns to Southern Athletic Association action later this week, traveling to take on Birmingham-Southern this Friday, Jan. 3, at 9 p.m. ET.