DANVILLE, Ky. – The Centre men's basketball team renewed their rivalry with the Transylvania Pioneers on Monday night and after digging an 18-point hole early in the second half, rallied to tie the score with 30 seconds left. In the end it was the Pioneers who prevailed on a last-second shot to win 73-71.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- The first half belonged to Transylvania as the visiting team blitzed Centre early with a 19-4 run to start the game.
- Centre rallied to close the game to 27-21 thanks to a 1-3-1 zone defense that forced several turnovers as well as the ability to draw fouls and get to the line.
- Transy rebounded over the final five minutes of the half, outscoring Centre 15-6 to close out the first frame with a 42-27 halftime lead.
- The Pioneers built their biggest lead at 45-27 on their first possession of the second half, and then held Centre at bay for the next 12 minutes, but following the under-8:00 media timeout, the Colonels made their move.
- Trailing 63-49,
Riley Mastin got the run started with a bucket in the paint. Following a steal from
Blake Stewart, Mastin capped off a fast break with a huge dunk and it was 63-53.
Izayiah Villafuerte got a runout and layup to force a Pioneers timeout at 63-55.
- Following a Transy three, the Colonels' freshman guards took over as Villafuerte and
Landen Hamilton combined for three straight three-pointers to make it a 66-64 game. A runner by Hamilton in the paint tied the score at 66-66.
- Transy scored the next five points to make it 71-66, but a three and a pair of free throws from Hamilton tied the game once again at 71-71. The Pioneers had the last shot, though, and Jaylan Green, who scored the last ten points for Transy, drove to the basket and scored with two seconds left to secure the win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Colonels forced the Pioneers into 22 turnovers on the night, recording 13 steals, led by Hamilton with four.
- Villafuerte led the Colonels with 16 points, followed by Hamilton with 13.
- After shooting 24 percent in the first half, the Colonels shot 54 percent in the second half, including 58 percent from three-point range.
NEXT UP
Centre men's basketball will hit the road this weekend for tournament action at LaGrange.
