WILMORE, Ky. - Centre men's basketball opened the 2023-24 season with a short ride north to take on the Asbury Eagles. An Asbury run midway through the second half was the difference as they defeated the Colonels 72-63.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

- Both teams played well offensively in the first half as the Colonels and Eagles were able to get into the paint at will for easy scores.
- Centre made a nice push at the halfway point of the first half as three three-pointers by Izayiah Villafuerte helped give the Colonels their largest lead of the game at 28-18.
- The Eagles made a string of threes to claw back into the game and eventually take the lead. A layup from Chez Moore in the closing seconds made it 37-36 in favor of Asbury at the half.
- The opening minutes were more of the same as the lead changed hands six times in the first six minutes. A driving dunk by Caleb Maul put the Colonels on top 46-45, but then Centre went cold and Asbury outscored the Colonels 12-2 over the next four minutes.
- Centre cut the Asbury lead to six on layups from Moore and Carter Baughman, but the Eagles iced the game at the free throw line.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

- Moore led all players with 18 points while adding seven rebounds. Cade Stinnett added 13 points ad eight boards, while Villafuerte scored ten with a game high three assists in his collegiate debut.
- The Colonels outrebounded the Eagles, thanks to a game high and career high 11 from Maul.
- Asbury held a 9-0 edge in points off turnovers after only turning the ball over five times.
- The Colonels shot 44 percent (8-18) from the free throw line, compared to 86 percent (12-14) from the Eagles.

NEXT UP

The Colonels will return to action on Nov. 13 as they host the annual rivalry game against Transylvania.