DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre men's basketball picked up its biggest win of the season Saturday afternoon, thumping Spalding by a 72-52 score inside Alumni Gymnasium behind a stout defensive effort.
 
The Colonels (3-4) clamped down on the Golden Eagles (2-6) in the second half, especially, limiting the visitors to just 7-for-30 from the floor with eight turnovers.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Centre hit six of its first seven attempts to gain an early 13-8 advantage and force a Spalding timeout just four minutes into the contest.
- An 11-2 run midway through the period helped the Colonels take a 27-14 lead – their largest of the afternoon to that point. Drew Wilson scored six during the stretch.
- The Golden Eagles closed the half on a high note, however, cutting the deficit to 35-32 following a 10-1 run to end the period.
- The Colonels wasted little time reclaiming and keeping their double-digit lead. RJ Smith scored eight during an early 15-4 swing that had Centre ahead 52-38 by the 12-minute mark.
- An active zone defense from the Colonels made a comeback bid seemingly impossible for the Golden Eagles, who missed all 12 shots from 3-point range in the second half. Spalding would end the period with more turnovers (8) than field goals (7).
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Centre held Spalding to 20 of 58 (35%) overall and 3 of 22 (14%) from long range for the game. The Colonels also forced 17 turnovers, as Dustin Gerald, Carter Baughman and Smith each had multiple steals.
- On the other end, the Colonels shot an even 50% (27-54) from the floor.
- Gerald and Smith led Centre with 17 points apiece, followed by Baughman's 10. Gerald also led the team with four assists.
- Smith and Chez Moore had seven rebounds each to lead the effort on the glass.
 
UP NEXT
Centre briefly steps in to Southern Athletic Association action next Saturday, Dec. 4, traveling to meet Sewanee at 3 p.m. ET.