DANVILLE, Ky. – Senior RJ Smith had a career outing Sunday, helping Centre defeat Millsaps by a 66-57 score inside Alumni Gymnasium.
 
The Colonels looked to run the offense through Smith early and often, and the Lexington, Ky., native obliged with a 31-point outing. He finished 10 of 24 from the field and his 11 of 14 at the free throw line.
 
Centre improves to 8-5 overall and 2-1 in the Southern Athletic Association, sending the Majors home with a 2-10 overall record and 0-3 in-conference mark.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- A slow shooting start hindered the Colonels following the opening tip, but they pieced together a 12-2 run during the middle of the first half to grab a 21-12 lead. The Centre defense forced four Millsaps turnovers during the stretch.
- The visiting Majors found some scoring success toward the end of the period, pulling to a 31-28 deficit at the halftime break.
- Smith scored nine points in the opening six minutes of the second half, helping the Colonels create separation on the scoreboard, leading 44-35.
- Millsaps didn't go quietly, however, and found itself down just two points at 60-58 by the under-8 media timeout.
- Smith and the Colonels closed out the victory with a solid homestretch, including a 10-for-12 effort as a team at the free throw line.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Along with his career-best 31 points, Smith led Centre with nine rebounds and added a block and steal.
- Marshall Taylor tallied a dozen points off the bench for the second straight game, connecting on a couple of 3-pointers.
- Chez Moore finished with seven points, eight rebounds and a team-high three steals.
- Centre went 22-for-27 (82%) at the charity stripe after struggling at the line in Friday's loss. It was a season high in free throws made.
 
UP NEXT
Centre travels to take on Berry next Friday, Jan. 14, at 8 p.m.