WILMORE, Ky. – Centre women's basketball dropped a narrow decision Thursday evening at Asbury, falling 81-75 after 40 minutes of frenetic action inside the Luce Center Gymnasium.
 
The Colonels slide to 4-8 overall with their third consecutive defeat, while the Eagles improve to 12-4 and an unblemished 4-0 at home.
 
Presley Chirico led the Colonels with 20 points and 11 rebounds – good for her second double-double of the season.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Asbury dictated the tempo out of the gates by employing a full-court press, helping the Eagles claim a 20-15 advantage through one period.
- Centre adjusted for the second quarter and eventually flipped control of the contest, using an extended 14-2 run across the final 4:30 of the half to carry a 37-30 edge into the locker rooms.
- Taylor Garrett totaled six points during the stretch, and as a team the Colonels went without a turnover against the Eagles' pressure. The Colonel defense limited the Eagles to 3-for-21 overall and 0-for-13 from long range in the second quarter.
- The brakes truly came off in a third quarter that saw a total of 58 points and a combined 20-for-34 (59%) shooting effort. Centre held its largest lead of the game at 57-44 following a 3-pointer from Piper Hensley midway through, but Asbury clawed back with a 17-5 run to set up a thrilling fourth quarter.
- The Colonels couldn't keep up in the final stanza, unfortunately, as the Eagles ultimately out-scored them 20-11 to escape with the victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Chirico led all scorers with 20 points, marking her fifth 20-point outing of the season.
- Garrett scored a season-high 12 on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting performance off the bench, and Bailey Rucker added 11 after scoring seven from the charity stripe.
- Centre out-rebounded Asbury 47-35, with Natalie Duggins grabbing 10 rebounds to follow Chirico's 11.
- The Colonels shot 29-for-59 (49%) overall, but were just 3-for-11 (27%) from long range and 14-for-23 (61%) at the free throw line.
- Asbury enjoyed a 31-2 advantage in points off turnovers, finishing with seven turnovers to Centre's 22. The Eagles recorded 15 steals as a team.
 
UP NEXT
Centre begins the 2022 calendar year next Monday, Jan. 3, at home against Sewanee at 1 p.m. The Colonels defeated the Tigers by a 67-49 score when the two sides met earlier this month in Tennessee.