CONWAY, Ark. – Centre men's basketball returned to the road after a successful home stand to face the Hendrix Warriors for the second time in a week. This time the shorthanded Colonels dug themselves a hole at the start of the game and never got over the hump as they fell by a margin of 79-71
 
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
 
- The Colonels came out cold to start the game and Hendrix took advantage, scoring the first seven points of the contest and taking a 14-4 lead eight minutes in.
- Centre slowly began to chip away at the lead, drawing Hendrix fouls and converting at the free throw line, with Riley Mastin turning in the best offensive performance of his career. In the final minute, the Colonels tied the score at 32-32 on a pair of Noah Ring free throws before Hendrix took a 34-32 lead at the break.
- Mastin opened the second half with a jumper to tie the score at 34-34, but Hendrix reeled off the next eight and the Colonels had to play from behind again.
- Once again the Colonels rallied as they cut it to two after Izayiah Villafuerte was fouled in the act of shooting a three and made all three free throw attempts.
- Following the free throws, Hendrix outscored Centre 8-1 to take a nine-point lead. They eventually extended the lead to ten before Landen Hamilton made consecutive threes to narrow the gap to 72-68, but that was as close as Centre got as Hendrix iced the game from the free throw line.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
 
- Mastin established new career highs as he led all players with 26 points and 14 rebounds.
- Reigning SAA Player of the Week Hamilton again filled the box score with 15 points, four rebounds and six assists.
- Returning to action for the first time in two weeks, Villafuerte had a strong effort off the bench with ten points and two steals.
 
NEXT UP
 
The Colonels will have a return battle with Rhodes on Sunday in Memphis. Centre took the first thrilling matchup in Danville 66-64 on Jan. 21.