Shreveport – The Centenary men's basketball team completed a two-day sweep of the Colorado College Tigers, winning 51-37 and making history on Tuesday in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play at the Gold Dome.
The Gents (6-2) displayed superb defense for the second-straight game after winning 59-43 on Monday as the Tigers remained winless on the season, dropping to 0-6. Centenary made history on Tuesday night by allowing just 37 points, which marks the fewest points scored by an opponent in the history of the Gold Dome (1970-present). The previous low was by the University of Dallas in a 57-39 Gents win on Dec. 18, 2018. The 37 points also marks the fewest number of points allowed by the Maroon and White in the division III era (2012-present).
Centenary is now an impressive 16-2 in its last 18 conference games dating back to Jan. 25, 2020 and won for the eighth time in its last nine home games. Centenary, which went 10-1 at home last season, is now 13-2 in its last 15 games at the Gold Dome.
The Gents entered Monday's game as one of the top defensive clubs in the SCAC, ranking first in turnover margin, third in the conference in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense, and fourth in steals, and they certainly proved why against the Tigers the last two nights. Centenary came into Monday's game allowing just 67.0 points per game and allowed a season-low 43 points, then besting that on Tuesday by allowing only 37 points, marking a new season-low. Centenary has held three opponents to 52 points or less this season.
Centenary shot just 32.1 % overall from the floor for the game but held the Tigers to an ice cold 22.2 % as they made just 10 of 45 attempted shots. Colorado College made just 3 of 14 shots in the first half and only 7 of 24 after halftime. The Gents shot a solid 40 % in the first half, making 12 of 30 from the field, but struggled after the break and finished 21.7 % as they hit just 5 of 23.
The Gents scored the first 15 points of the game and did not allow Colorado College to score until the 9:43 mark of the first half, holding them scoreless for 10:57. The Tigers did not reach double digits until the 5:10 mark of the first half as the Gents built a 30-17 at halftime. Colorado College, though, for the second night in a row started fast after the half, as the Tigers outscored the Gents 12-3 over the first seven minutes of the half to cut the Centenary lead to 33-29.
Centenary, however, scored the game's next six points to get back up by 10 at 39-29 at the 10:18 mark. A basket by the Tigers at the 6:39 mark made it a 42-33 game but that is as close as they would get the rest of the game, scoring just four more points as the Gents secured the 14-point win.
Sophomore forward Seth Thomas (Kilgore, Texas) scored a team-high 11 points and grabbed a team-best 11 rebounds as he recorded his fifth double-double of the season and sixth in his career. He has now scored in double figures in seven of eight games this season and entered the week fifth in the conference in scoring averaging 15.3 points per game. He also added two assists and two steals in 28 minutes and went 4-4 from the free-throw line. He entered play on Monday as the league leader in defensive rebounds and grabbed 16 in the two games against the Tigers. He also entered play second in the SCAC in steals and seventh in free-throw percentage and had seven steals and went 8-11 from the free-throw line.
Junior guard Tykeem Singleton (Fort Worth, Texas) was the only other Gent in double figures as he scored 10 in 23 minutes on 3-8 shooting and made a pair of treys. He added four rebounds and had three steals and an assist. Junior guard AJ Hall (Thibodaux, La.) had a solid game with eight points and five rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench on 2-6 shooting. He had a pair of steals and was a perfect 4-4 from the free-throw line.
Junior forward Neil Hawkins (Titusville, Fla.) scored seven points and grabbed seven rebounds in 31 minutes as he made 3 of 4 shots. Sophomore guard Ralph Johnson (New Iberia, La.) added six points, four rebounds, three steals, and a pair of assists in 32 minutes. Freshman Braeden Board (Rayne, La.) had the best game of his young career, scoring a season-best four points and grabbing six rebounds in just 16 minutes of action.
Trey Crawford led the Tigers in scoring with a game-high 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 36 minutes. Sam Kinney had a game-high 12 rebounds and scored five points. Scott Cunningham scored six, and Taylor Harris and DeAnte' Dennis each scored five.
Centenary scored 18 points in the paint to just eight for the Tigers and received 15 bench points. The Gents held the edge in rebounding, 42-40, and went 13-17 from the free-throw line. The Gents had 11 steals on Tuesday, marking the third time this season they have reached double figures in the category. Centenary recorded a season-best 14 in Monday's victory.
The Gents have a bye this weekend and are back on the road on Feb. 19-20 to face Austin College before wrapping up the regular season at home versus St. Thomas on Feb. 26-27.
Live video and live stats are available for all home games.
A link to the Gents' complete schedule can be found here: https://www.gocentenary.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/schedule.
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