DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre men's basketball dropped a close 74-70 decision to visiting Wabash Saturday afternoon, opening the 2021-22 season inside Alumni Gymnasium.
 
The Colonels (0-1) held a slight lead at the under-4 media timeout, but the Little Giants (1-0), who received votes in the D3hoops.com Top 25, surged down the stretch using a 9-1 run to secure the victory.
 
Senior RJ Smith and junior Carter Baughman each set collegiate career highs with 22 and 20 points, respectively.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Centre experienced some early-season struggles during the opening stages of the game, trailing by double figures midway through the first half after starting 3-for-15 from the field.
- The home side rallied toward the halftime break, however, doubling up Wabash 26-13 in the last 10 minutes to claim a 34-31 halftime lead. Dustin Gerald and Chez Moore combined for 15 points during the run while the Colonel defense forced six turnovers.
- The Colonels carried that momentum into the second half, where they shot out of the gates on a 13-0 run sparked by 3-pointers from Baughman and Jaxson Banks.
- Wabash whittled away that the deficit, eventually pulling level at 63-63 with just over five minutes remaining. The Little Giants used some timely offensive rebounds late in the game and eventually came out with a 74-70 win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Smith led Centre with 12 rebounds – a new personal best – marking his second career double-double. As a team, the Colonels out-rebounded the Little Giants 38-36.
- Baughman was 6 of 12 overall while hitting three 3-pointers.
- Centre and Wabash each shot around 41% overall, but the Colonels connected on only four of their 21 attempts from long range. Both sides also went 14-for-17 at the free throw line.
- Wabash led for 20:17 of game time while Centre led for 19:19.
 
UP NEXT
Centre travels to Covenant next Tuesday, Nov. 9, for a 7 p.m. meeting.