Centre (24-4) vs. Pomona-Pitzer (22-5)
Date: Friday, March 6
Site: Atlanta (Emory University)
Arena: Woodruff P.E. Center
Tipoff: 5 p.m. ET
Centre: Schedule | Roster | Stats
Pomona-Pitzer: Schedule | Roster | Stats
 
On Tap
- Centre is in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time since 2014, taking on Pomona-Pitzer in the first round Friday at Emory University.
 
How We Got Here
- The Colonels clinched the Southern Athletic Association's automatic bid into the national tournament, defeating Berry in the SAA Tournament championship this past Sunday at home, 72-69.
- Centre reached the conference title bout after defeating Rhodes (85-77) and Millsaps (90-70) in the first two rounds.
 
How They Got Here
- The Sagehens secured their second straight Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) automatic bid after defeating Redlands, 87-66, in the conference championship.
 
Emory vs. Methodist
- Friday's other opening-round matchup features the pod host, Emory, taking on Methodist.
- The Eagles (21-4) tied Washington University in the University Athletic Association, but claimed the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by virtue of their two wins over WashU (the UAA does not have a year-end tournament).
- The Monarchs (18-10) brought home an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after winning the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament title.
 
20/20 Vision
- Since the start of 2020, Centre is 14-2 overall with a +11.2 scoring margin against its opponents. It's a record that helped the Colonels claim both the regular season and tournament crowns within the SAA.
- The Colonels are averaging nearly 10 3-pointers per game during that stretch, highlighted by a program-record 20 triples in the SAA Semifinal victory over Millsaps.
 
SAA Honors
- Jacob Bates was recently named the SAA Player of the Year, Centre's first since Greg Ross in 2012.
- He finished the regular season averaging 19.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. He shot 57.6% overall from the floor, and also led the conference with nine double-doubles.
- Perry Ayers garnered Second Team honors, going on a tear throughout the second half of the season. Beginning with a Jan. 24 win at Hendrix, he averaged 19 points per game while shooting a blistering 48.3% (28-58) from 3-point range. He was also named the SAA Tournament MVP, scoring more than 23 points per game during the run.
- Art Walker likewise landed on the Second Team, finishing with 11.3 points and 4.5 boards per game during the regular season. He led Centre with 46 3-pointers made, hitting a triple in all but four games.
- Bailey Rakes rounded out the awards, being named All-SAA Honorable Mention for the second time in his career. He finished with 8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists throughout the regular season while typically checking the opponent's best perimeter player on defense.
 
Senior Class
- Ayers, Bates, Rakes, Walker and Jakob Spitzer make up one of the strongest senior classes in program history, compiling a 78-28 record thus far while claiming three SAA regular season championships and one tournament crown.
- Ayers, Bates and Walker each reached the 1,000-point plateau this season, marking the first time since the 1994 class to have a trio of "1K Club" members.
 
Scouting the Sagehens
- Pomona-Pitzer is one of the nation's best rebounding teams, ranking second in Division III with a +12.2 average margin. Alex Preston (7.2 rpg), James Kelbert (7.0) and Brendan Mora (6.0) lead a balanced attack on the glass.
- Micah Elan leads the Sagehens and ranks 33rd in the country averaging 21.6 points per game, shooting above 48% overall and 47% from 3-point range. His percentage from long range is sixth-best in the nation. Preston (15.7 ppg) and Kelbert (10.3) are also scoring in double figures.
- Head Coach Charles Katsiaficas has been at the helm of Pomona-Pitzer since 1988, earning 11 conference championships and 12 NCAA Tournament appearances. Upon joining the program, Katsiaficas gained valuable experience serving two years as an assistant under Gregg Popovich, who is now the Head Basketball Coach for the San Antonio Spurs. Popovich and Katsiaficas helped the Sagehens to their first SCIAC title in 68 years during the 1985-1986 season.
 
Fan Info
- Ticket prices for the games are $12 for general admission, and $7 for students with ID, senior citizens, and children ages 2-12. Children under 2 are free. Only cash will be accepted.
- Fans that can't make the trip will be able to view the games here. Centre will also be hosting a fan viewing party in Cowan.
- The sectional homepage can be found here.
 

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