DANVILLE, Ky. – The Centre women's basketball team surpassed the Golden Eagles in their home opener. Outperforming Spalding in every statistical category, the Colonels improve to 2-1 on the season.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- The Colonels came out with intensity Friday evening. A duo of three's from
Madison Tremblay and
Bailey Rucker, fixed with a couple of made free-throws gave the Colonels an early 8-0 lead.
- Spalding answered, netting two consecutive three's to narrow the gap to four points. Minutes later, Spalding landed a long ball to give them their first lead of the game. The two teams would trade baskets for the remainder of the half, bringing the halftime score to 37-34 in favor of Centre.
- Early in the third quarter,
Piper Hensley and
Taylor Garrett found success behind the arc. The two landed back-to-back buckets, advancing the Colonels to a nine-point edge over the Golden Eagles.
- With seconds remaining in the third, Rucker found herself at the line yet again after a shooting foul in the paint. Connecting her free-throw, the sophomore granted the Colonels their largest lead of the game going into the final quarter (+10).
- The Gold Eagles would make one last run to close the score discrepancy but would never come within five points.
Payton Herold netted seven successive free-throws to conclude the game's scoring.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Centre more than double Spalding in rebounds.
Makya Grinter fronted the Colonels with eight, adding to the team total of 38. The Golden Eagles managed 18 total rebounds.
- The Colonels had three different shooters finishing in the double digits. Leading Centre,
Bailey Rucker matched her career high of 18 points.
Natalie Duggins and
Payton Herold were just behind her, putting up 11 each.
- Centre shot 78 percent from the line, landing 28 of their 38 opportunities. The Golden Eagles bucketed ten of their 14 free-throws.
NEXT UP
The Colonels will partake in day-two of the Lee's Famous Recipe/Hampton Inn Classic, hosting Asbury at 3:00 pm ET.
