DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre men's basketball won its seventh game in a row Sunday afternoon, toppling visiting Oglethorpe 81-63 in Southern Athletic Association action inside Alumni Gymnasium.
Art Walker dropped a season-high 28 points, including 21 in the second half, helping the Colonels (14-2, 4-1 SAA) turn a close game into rout late in the matchup against the Stormy Petrels (9-7, 3-2).
Jacob Bates added 18, and
Bailey Rakes followed with 10 to finish in double figures, as well.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Five separate individuals got on the scoreboard early for the Colonels, who led 15-14 midway through the opening half.
- Consecutive 3-pointers from Rakes gave the Colonels a 21-16 lead at the seven-minute mark, forcing a timeout from the Petrels.
- Although both sides struggled to hit shots, Centre would take a 32-27 lead into the halftime break.
- The close contest continued into the second half, until Walker caught fire from deep to spark a run. He started with a pair of 3-pointers, followed by a score-and-steal from Rakes.
- Walker netted a third triple moments later, turning a 43-41 lead into the game's largest, 54-43, with just under 10 to play.
- Centre's lead swelled to 67-51 following a runout layup from
Perry Ayers near the five-minute mark.
- The Colonels continued to run away from their visitors, ultimately closing the half out-scoring the Petrels 38-22.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Walker finished 11-for-16 overall, including a stellar 6-for-11 from long range.
- Bates went 6 of 11 from the floor, adding a team-high seven rebounds and four assists.
- Ayers was the team leader in assists with five, also contributing nine points.
- Centre shot 19 of 30 (63%) in the second half, finishing an even 50% (31-62) overall. The Colonels hit 12 3-pointers for the game – eight of which came in the second period.
- The Colonels scored 10 points off of turnovers in the final 20 minutes.
- As a team, Centre dished 22 assists and committed a season-low four turnovers.
INTERVIEW
UP NEXT
Centre is home again next weekend, beginning Friday, Jan. 17, against Hendrix. Tip is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
