DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre men's basketball went to the long ball early and often Saturday evening, draining a program-record 20 3-pointers in a 90-70 victory over Millsaps in the Southern Athletic Association Tournament semifinals inside Alumni Gymnasium.
The Colonels (23-4) advance to the SAA Tournament Championship for the second year in a row with the victory, while the Majors (17-10) see their season come to an end.
Several Colonels contributed to the record-breaking shooting performance, but
Perry Ayers and
Dawson Crump led the way with five 3-pointers apiece.
Art Walker,
Bailey Rakes and
Carter Baughman each finished with multiple threes, as well.
Ayers also grabbed 10 rebounds to record his second double-double of the season.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Five of the first seven made field goals for Centre came from beyond the arc, and by the midway point of the first half the Colonels had built a double figure lead at 24-14.
- Centre's hot shooting continued, and a late triple from Baughman pushed the lead up to 20 at 48-28.
- The Colonels would go into the half leading 50-28 after knocking down 10 of 22 from long range.
- Centre proved to be even more efficient in the second half, draining 10 more 3-pointers on just 20 attempts to keep the game well out of reach for the Majors.
- Millsaps would piece together a handful of runs, but could never cut the deficit any closer than 20 points throughout the final 20 minutes.
- The record-breaking 3-pointer came with just 1:21 left in the game, as
Jalen Williams hit a corner three while being fouled.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Centre's 20 threes broke the previous record of 19 3-pointers, set multiple times, but most recently in a 2018 victory over Hendrix.
- The Colonels were 20 of 42 (46.7%) from long range and 9 of 23 (39.1%) from inside the arc. Millsaps was held to just 5 of 21 (23.8%) from 3-point land.
- Ayers led all players with 21 points and 10 rebounds, marking three straight games of 20+ points.
- Crump finished with 18 points and matched Baughman with a team-high four assists. Walker followed with 14 points.
- Centre had assists on 17 of 29 field goals.
UP NEXT
Centre faces Berry in the SAA Tournament Championship Sunday at 2 p.m. The Colonels and Vikings split the regular season series, with each team winning at home.
