Centre men's basketball posts a 66-54 win over Colorado
The Centre men's basketball team used a late run in the second half to pull away from Colorado College, winning the game 66-54 on Sunday, January 30 in Danville, Ky. Centre is 15-3 on the season and 10-1 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Colorado jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but Centre tied the game at four all after junior Jeff Mullaney (Louisville, Ky.) and junior Greg Ross (Cincinnati, Ohio) each hit a jumper.
The Colonels continued their run building up a seven point lead to take an 11-4 advantage with 14:54 remaining in the first half.
Daniel Webb ended the Colonels run by knocking down a three point basket with 14:36 on the clock to put the score at 11-7.
Junior Kyle Binder (Knoxville, Tenn.) gave Centre a double digit lead after he hit a layup with 9:12 to go in the first half to make it a 22-11 game.
Nick Rose put the Tigers within single digits of the Colonels at the 5:15 mark, as he converted on a layup and a free throw shot to move the score to 30-22.
Both teams then struggled offensively from the floor during the next two minutes of play. Ross put Centre back ahead by double digits, 33-22, following a made layup and a free throw.
Colorado responded by going on a six point run to get within five points of the Colonels with 2:03 to go before the break.
During the final two minutes of play both teams struggled again offensively with neither team able to score. Centre went into the break leading 33-28.
Centre capitalized on 42.9% of their shots during the first half of action and they went 2-3 from the free throw line. Colorado converted on 52% of their shots from the floor and they went 1-1 from the free throw line.
The Tigers started off the second half scoring the first four points to pull within a point of the Colonels.
Mullaney put Centre on the board in the second half with 18:56 on the clock after he hit a jumper to put the score at 35-32.
Rose scored his sixth straight point of the half on the Tigers ensuing possession to make it a 35-34 game with 18:37 on the clock.
Senior Alex Lloyd (Versailles, Ky.) responded by scoring the next four points of the game to put Centre ahead 39-34 with 17:49 to go in the game.
Ryan Milne would put Colorado within two points of Centre after he made a three point basket with 16:59 remaining in the game, putting the score at 39-37.
Mullaney knocked down a three pointer and freshman Donovan Whiteside (Knoxville, Tenn.) hit two free throw attempts at the 16:04 mark to put the Colonels ahead 44-37.
Colorado challenged the Colonels lead during the next 10:30 minutes of play, before Centre used a 12-0 to build a 63-50 lead with 1:18 to go in the game.
The Colonels held off the Tigers during the remainder of the game on Centre's way to a 66-54.
Centre made 43.1% of their shots from the floor during the game and they hit 81.3% of their free throw attempts. Colorado knocked down 40.7% of their shots from the floor and they went 7-9 from the free throw line.
Ross posted a double double for the Colonels with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Mullaney had three assists and Whiteside had five steals in the win.
Rose recorded 26 points for Colorado, while Brady Ohlsen grabbed eight boards. Milne had four assists on the afternoon.
Next up for Centre will be a home conference game against DePauw on Saturday, February 5 in Danville, Ky. at 3:00 p.m.
