DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre men's basketball checked the "win" column for the first time this season, defeating Southern Athletic Association rival Rhodes, 80-70, in Alumni Gymnasium Saturday evening.
 
Jalen Williams and Dawson Crump each scored 21 points in the victory, helping the Colonels (2-1) stave off a second half comeback bid from the Lynx (0-3).
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Centre's hot touch was evident out of the gate, as Williams canned a pair of early 3-pointers to help the Colonels jump out to a 17-6 lead.
- The margin continued to grow, and when Williams hit another triple at the 5:29 mark, the home side had a sizeable 35-15 advantage.
- Rhodes held Centre without a field goal across the final three minutes of the period, however, and used a late run to pull within 39-30 at the break.
- The visiting side kept chipping away throughout the second half. Kevin Shen connected on a trio of 3-pointers, the last of which brought Centre's lead down to 69-64 with six minutes remaining.
- That proved to be the Lynx' final made field goal, though, as Centre managed to do enough at the free throw line to secure the victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Williams' 21 points was a career high, as the junior knocked down 6 of 7 from long range. He also co-led the team with eight rebounds.
- In his first game of the season, Crump finished with 21 points and five assists while providing a steadying veteran presence to the Colonels.
- Pete Knochelmann scored 12 points and chipped in eight rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal.
- RJ Smith had 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a block.
- After going 9-for-43 (21%) from distance across two games at Oglethorpe last weekend, Centre hit 11 of 24 (46%) 3-pointers Saturday evening against Rhodes.
- There were 54 personal fouls and 73 free throws between the two sides.
- Centre assisted on 14 of 22 made baskets. Crump's five dimes led all players.
 
UP NEXT
Centre and Rhodes complete the two-game set tomorrow (Sunday) at 1 p.m. ET.