LEXINGTON, Va. - Centre men's basketball closed out 2024 in style as the Colonels came from behind to knock off the Methodist Monarchs 68-65 after a buzzer beater from
Jaxson Banks.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- After trading the lead back and forth over the opening minutes of the contest, Methodist went on the first run of the game as they outscored Centre 10-2 to take a 19-11 lead at the halfway point of the first half.
- The Colonels slowly clawed their way back into the game as
Izayiah Villafuerte and
Kalib Thomas were the key instigators in the comeback. A Thomas layup narrowed the gap to 30-28 with less than two minutes to go in the half, but the Monarchs scored the final seven points of the half to go into the locker room with a nine-point lead.
- Over the first nine minutes of the second half, Methodist extended their lead to as many as 17 points at 49-32 before Centre staged a fierce rally. The Colonels scored the next 12 points to get right back into the game. Banks and
Ryan Shene made three-pointers while Thomas and
Nolan Wahl capped off the run to cut it to 49-44.
- With just over six minutes left, Methodist had extended to a ten-point lead again at 56-46. Centre again showed great heart as Villafuerte scored the next five. A pair of Thomas free throws cut it to three and Banks connected on a three to tie the game, making it a 10-0 run for the Colonels in a little over a minute of game action.
- Villafuerte took over the closing minutes of the game for the Centre offense as he tied the game at 58-58 with a layup, gave Centre a 61-60 lead with a three-point play and put Centre back on top 64-63 with a huge three.
- A free throw by Wahl put Centre on top 65-63, but Methodist tied the game with six seconds left and it appeared to be headed towards overtime. The Colonels remained calm and Shene threw over the top of a full court press to find Banks wide open in the corner for the winning three, knocking it down as the clock hit all zeroes for the dramatic win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Villafuerte led the Colonels with a new career high of 19 points, with Banks, Thomas and Wahl all finishing in double digits. Villafuerte earned a spot on the W&L Classic All-Tournament team after his performance across both games this week.
- Banks's game winner was the first true buzzer beater for Centre men's basketball since All-American Jacob Bates '20 beat the buzzer at Otterbein in December 2016.
- The 17-point deficit was the largest margin overcome by the Colonels since the 2017-18 team overcame a similar deficit at Millsaps. Second half defense was the key as Centre enjoyed a 20-9 advantage in points off turnovers.
NEXT UP
The Colonels will have another week off before beginning the SAA season with a trip to Oglethorpe on Jan. 10.
