MOUNT BERRY, Ga. – Centre women's basketball dropped its first Southern Athletic Association contest of the season Friday evening, falling by a 48-40 score inside the Cage Center at Berry.
 
The Colonels slide to 6-9 overall and 3-1 in the SAA, while the Vikings improve to 8-6 overall and 2-1 in-conference.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- The two sides were tied at 5-5 midway through the opening quarter after a combined 4-for-18 shooting start from the floor.
- Centre managed a slim 12-11 lead through one period, getting five early points from Natalie Duggins.
- Bailey Rucker scored five points of her own in the second quarter, but the host Vikings hit three 3-pointers and regained a 23-22 advantage at the half.
- After a low-scoring third quarter, the Colonels went into the final frame trailing 32-29.
- A free throw from Rucker near the 7-minute mark pulled Centre within 35-33, but from there the Vikings held the Colonels without a point for almost six minutes.
- Rachel Jennings finally broke the draught with a traditional 3-point play in the final minute, but it wasn't enough to complete a comeback.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Defensively, Centre held Berry to just 13 of 62 overall, marking opponent lows in points, field goals and shooting percentage.
- The Vikings were +10 at the charity stripe, converting 19 of 23 while the Colonels finished 9 of 13.
- Centre committed 20 turnovers to Berry's nine.
- Rucker led the team with 10 points, adding five rebounds and an assist.
- Centre out-rebounded Berry 47-44. Duggins and Emma Rose Vincent had six boards apiece to pace the team.  
 
UP NEXT
Centre takes on Oglethorpe this upcoming Sunday in Atlanta at 12 p.m.