DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre men's basketball escaped Alumni Gymnasium with a 68-66 victory against Rhodes Sunday afternoon, snapping a brief two-game Southern Athletic Association skid and avenging last week's loss in Memphis, Tenn.
 
Seniors Dustin Gerald (20 points), RJ Smith (16) and Jalen Williams (13) accounted for nearly three-fourths of Centre's scoring, with Smith's late free throws proving to be the difference.
 
The Colonels improve to 10-8 overall (4-4 SAA) while sending the Lynx home at 9-10 (4-5 SAA).
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Lynx won the first four-minute stretch of the contest, leading Centre 11-4 after six early points from veteran guard Koki Willey.
- Centre bounced back with a 15-7 run to takes its first lead of the game, 19-18, just past the midway point of the period. Gerald delivered nine of his 11 first half points during the span.
- The Colonels held a 33-30 advantage at the half, doing damage down low with eight offensive rebounds and 20 points in the paint.
- Williams drained a 3-pointer to open the second half, and the Colonels doubled up the Lynx, 16-8, to take their first double figure lead of the day at 49-38.
- Jalen Essick scored all 10 points during a 10-2 Rhodes run later in the half, and they completely erased the deficit moments later to make it 61-61 with two minutes remaining.
- Smith sank a couple freebies with 16 seconds on the clock to make it a 66-63 Centre lead, but Wiley answered with a clutch 3-pointer for Rhodes to level the score.
- With six seconds left, Smith went end-to-end and drew a foul near the basket. He connected on both free throws to seal the victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Gerald led Centre with 20 points and 11 rebounds, marking his second double-double in a row. He finished 8-for-16 overall, adding two assists and two steals.
- Smith hit six of his eight free throws, five of which came in the last 47 seconds. He also had nine boards.
- Williams knocked down three 3-pointers, and his 13 points were his most in conference play.
- Centre and Rhodes each totaled 34 rebounds. The Colonels finished with a 36-24 advantage in points in the paint.
 
UP NEXT
Centre travels to take on Birmingham-Southern next Friday, Feb. 4, at 9 p.m. ET. The Panthers won 93-92 on a last-second basket when the two teams met earlier this season.