DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre women's basketball hosted Oglethorpe for the quarterfinals of Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Conference tournament. After a closely matched, four-quarter battle, the Colonels downed the Stormy Petrels 68-63, moving on to the semifinals next weekend. 

HIGHLIGHTS
 - Anna Thomas and Bailey Rucker highlighted Centre's opening frame as the two were responsible for 11 of the Colonels' 15 points in the quarter. With three of the Colonels' seven baskets coming from behind the arc, the Gold & White led 15-10 entering period two.
- Centre carried their long-ranged success into the next period as Thomas opened with a pair of successive threes. Just after, Makya Grinter and Emma Perna followed suit, each netting a three-pointer to make for 12 quick points. For the remainder of the half, the two squads answered one other until the Stormy Petrels closed the half with a jumper. Entering halftime, Centre held a three-point edge over Oglethorpe. 
- Out of the break, the Petrels swiftly took control with back-to-back threes. Rucker repossessed the lead with consecutive buckets. Both teams continued to trade baskets, neither taking more than a two-point lead until the final twenty seconds. Senior Natalie Duggins drained one from long range, allowing Centre to lead by four entering the final frame.
- Centre never trailed in the final period as Grinter opened from behind the arc, doubling down with another bucket in the next possession. The sophomore would continue to carry the Colonels throughout the period, owning ten of the period's 18 points. Rucker closed Centre's scoring at line, moving the final to 68-63, the Colonels favoring. 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Grinter led the Gold & White in points with a season high of 19. Thomas and Rucker each finished with double-digit points as Thomas tallied 12 while Rucker notched 17. 
- Rucker was the game's leader in assists with four. 
- Grinter and Rucker tied for the game's lead in steals with four each.
- The Colonels demolished the Petrels in fast break points with 12; Oglethorpe had none.
- The Petrels favored in rebounds, taking 30 off the glass while Centre grabbed 26.  
- The game saw seven lead changes and four ties.
 
NEXT UP
Centre women's basketball will continue their SAA tournament run on the road. For all schedule updates, visit centrecolonels.com