DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Centre men's basketball ended 2023 on a high note as the Colonels earned a dramatic 69-68 victory over the Hamline Pipers on the second day of the Daytona Beach Shootout.
 
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
 
- The Colonels played well in the opening half as freshman guards Izayiah Villafuerte and Landen Hamilton combined for eight of the first ten Centre points.
- Jaxson Banks provided another lift off the bench as he scored five straight upon entering the game. Leading 17-13, Centre went on the offensive as a Cade Stinnett three-pointer capped off a 10-0 run that put the Colonels up by 14.
- Centre maintained the double-digit edge for most of the rest of the half as Stinnett and Chez Moore provided the scoring load in the closing minutes, and the Colonels took a 44-35 lead into the locker room at the half.
- Hamline came out of the gates strong in the second half as they opened with a 7-0 spurt. A putback and-1 by Caleb Maul stopped the run and Centre continued to hold the Pipers at bay as Stinnett scored the Colonels' next seven points.
- Over a six-minute period, Hamline outscored Centre 11-0 to take the lead for the first time since early in the first half. Centre quickly regained the advantage on consecutive baskets by Hamilton and Noah Ring, leading to high drama in the final five minutes.
- Trailing 62-61, Moore got inside for a layup to put Centre back on top. A handful of turnovers from both teams ensued, but Hamline had the edge as they crashed the boards to get the next two buckets and a 66-63 lead. Stinnett cut the deficit to one at the free throw line, but Hamline responded to go up 68-65.
- With less than a minute left, Hamilton drilled a clutch three to tie the score at 68-68. The Centre defense forced a miss and the Colonels got the ball with 13 seconds to go. Hamilton's three-point attempt was off, but Moore grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled with a second left. He made the first free toss to provide the final margin of victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
 
- Stinnett led all players with 24 points, while Moore and Hamilton each finished with 13.
- Centre forced 18 Hamline turnovers and scored 20 points off those turnovers. The Colonels also held advantages of 14-11 in second chance points and 25-15 in bench points.
 
NEXT UP
 
Centre men's basketball will return to conference play on Jan. 5 as they travel to Birmingham-Southern.