DANVILLE, Ky. – On Friday evening, the Colonels tipped-off against Oglethorpe in their Annual Play for a Cure game. After a thrilling overtime victory, the Centre women's basketball team solidified the title of the 2023 SAA Regular Season Champions.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- The game's tone was quickly set as both teams traded ties nearly the entire opening quarter.
Anna Thomas gave Centre their first lead as she hit a late long ball to put the Colonels up by two entering the second period.
- The Colonels stretched their lead by as much as seven before entering foul trouble. At the line, Oglethorpe evened the score once again midway through the second quarter.
- Out of halftime, the Colonel's offensive fell to the added pressure of Oglethorpe's high-pressure defense. Putting up nine to the opposing's 19 points, Centre entered the final quarter 13 points back.
- The Gold & White ignited in the early minutes of the fourth period.
Payton Herold's wide-open three set the offense's pace as three other Colonels nailed consecutive baskets to bring Centre within five. Oglethorpe attempted to extinguish the Colonels, but their efforts were short lived as
Emma Rose Vincent bucketed a crucial last second jumper to take both teams into overtime.
- In extra minutes, sophomore
Anna Thomas nailed a pair of pivotal threes just 20 seconds apart, repossessing the game's lead. In the next possession, Thomas took an Oglethorpe charge, offering the ball back to Centre. In the game's final seconds, veteran
Payton Herold netted the game winning basket that earned the Colonels the title of the 2023 SAA Regular Season Champions.
- The last time that Centre women's basketball secured a regular season title was in 2012, coincidentally, in that season's annual Pink Out game.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Colonels possessed three players with double figures in points. Vincent led with 18, Thomas followed with 17 points, and Rucker finished with 16 total points.
- After what proved to be a fierce contest, the two teams swapped the lead 11 times, tying the game on seven different occasions.
- Setting a new season high, Centre's defense put up an effective seven blocks.
- Tying another season high, Centre netted ten threes compared to the opposing's eight.
UP NEXT
Centre women's basketball will host their last regular season contest of the 2022-2023 campaign. The Colonels will top-off against the Berry Vikings at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 12th.
