KERRVILLE, Texas - The Gents rallied from a nine-point, first half deficit to tie the game at halftime, but the Mountaineers used a 43-23 edge on the boards in the win as Centenary (10-7, 4-3 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) fell to Schreiner (8-9, 5-1 SCAC) 81-68 Saturday night, January 20.
The Gents trailed 11-2 early and 33-26 with 5:06 left in the first half, but a 9-2 run by the visitors tied the game. Sophomore Cedric Harris hit a jumper and senior Travion Kirkendoll added a layup to cut the deficit to one possession. Schreiner hit two free throws, but a layup by junior Kaharri Carter and a Harris three tied the game. Blake Kelley for the Mountaineers added a layup, but two Kirkendoll free throws right before the half knotted the score at 37, the third tie of the first period.
Harris scored a game-high 21 to lead Centenary, while Carter came off the bench for 19.
Harris gave the Gents their largest lead of the game just 16 seconds into the second half with a three.
Later in the second half tied at 56, the home team scored seven unanswered and never trailed the rest of the way. Ellis Jones hit a jumper and TJ Distefano hit the only Schreiner three in the second half (after nine in the first period). Brandon Warbrick hit a layup off a steal with 9:29 left in the game to cap the run.
With Centenary trailing 67-64 with less than five minutes left, a 12-2 run by Schreiner helped give the Mountaineers the double-digit win.
Keenan Gumbs led the home team with 20 points, while Kelley recorded the double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Centenary kicks off a four-game home stand, their final contests in the Gold Dome for the season, next Friday night, January 26 against Trinity. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.