SHREVEPORT, La. - In a game that featured 12 ties and 11 lead changes, the Gents finished the game on a 14-4 run as Centenary (12-9, 5-6 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) knocked off Austin College (13-7, 3-7 SCAC) 74-65 in basketball action at the Gold Dome Friday night, February 5.
The visitors battled to a 61-60 lead on a pair of free throws with 3:57 left in the contest, but the Gents scored the next five to take back the lead for good. Junior Brandon Campbell hit a jumper to put the Maroon and White back in the lead. After an Austin College turnover, freshman Treylan Matthews split from the line.
Centenary converted 27 'Roo miscues in to 22 points.
The Maroon and White forced a stop, and sophomore Travion Kirkendoll registered a pair of offensive boards before finishing with a layup. On the play, Kirkendoll grabbed his 10th rebound to complete his fourth double-double of the season. He finished the game with 17 points and 11 boards, moving in to the top five in the SCAC in rebounds (7.2).
Austin College added a pair of free throws, but Campbell and junior James Sapp hit a pair of free throws to push the Centenary lead to six. Junior Kendall Demouchet put the exclamation point on the game when he swatted his seventh shot of the game, Sapp grabbed his fifth steal and recorded the fastbreak dunk to push the final margin to nine.
Austin College dropped their seventh game of the season, and Centenary has the second and third largest win over the 'Roos in 2016. Sapp led Centenary with 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting and making all eight of his free throws.
The visitors led by six at halftime and pushed the lead to nine with a three-point play to open up the second half. Down 40-32 with 19:10 left in the game, Demouchet made his only three of the game and a layup. Kirkendoll scored on a tip-in off Demouchet's missed shot as Centenary cut the deficit to one with 17:15 left. Austin College scored a jumper, but Demouchet knocked the ball free from the 'Roos. Sapp grabbed the ball and scored the fastbreak hoop while being fouled to tie the game at 42 with 15:44 left.
The next 12 minutes featured five lead changes and four ties before Centenary went on its run in the final four minutes.
With Austin College down 23-20 in the first half, the 'Roos went on a 10-1 run to open up a six-point lead. Alan Sullivan hit back-to-back threes to give the visitors the lead. Kirkendoll split from the line for Centenary, but Brian Baehl hit a pair of jumpers. Baehl added a three-point play to begin the second half to open an Austin College 39-30 lead, its largest of the game.
Baehl led all scorers in the game with 23 points for the 'Roos.
Centenary returns to action Sunday against Dallas at noon. There will be free admission; however, fans are reminded to check on road closures for Mardi Gras parades near the Gold Dome. The best route is for fans to come down Kings Highway from Youree Drive, and enter the campus from Woodlawn Avenue.
