Playing as the number two seed in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Tournament, the Centre College men's basketball team opened with a convincing 63-43 win over Southwestern University, Friday, Feb. 23, in Memphis, Tenn.
With the win, the Colonels improve to 21-4 overall, having won seven straight games and 17 of their last 18. Southwestern, the number seven seed, ends its season with an overall mark of 11-15.
Southwestern opened the scoring with a three-pointer to take an early lead, but that would be the only lead the Pirates would have the entire game. Centre went on a 19-6 run, highlighted by four three-pointers by junior guard Matt Nestheide (Edgewood, Ky.), to take a 19-9 lead with 14:05 remaining in the first half.
That lead grew to 21 points (33-12) with 8:17 left in the half and would go as high as 22 points (41-19) in the first half, before the Colonels entered the locker room with a 41-21 lead.
The second half was much like the first as Centre controlled the game leading by double figures the entire way. The Colonels shot only 34.8% (8-23) in the second half, but limited Southwestern to only 30.3% (10-33) in advancing to the second round of the SCAC Tournament.
Nestheide led the way for Centre scoring a game-high 18 points, while adding five rebounds and three steals. All 18 of his points were scored in the first half and all came on three-pointers.
Senior forward Matt Jacobson (Lagrange, Ky.) scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds and senior center John Patterson (Lexington, Ky.) added nine points, three rebounds and two blocks in the win. Freshman Danny Noll (Ft. Mitchell, Ky.) also scored nine points, off the bench.
Mike Powell was the lone Pirate in double figures. Powell finished with 11 points and six rebounds. Travis Barber scored eight points off the bench and Micah Salinas chipped in seven points.
Centre will next play Millsaps College in the semifinals of the SCAC Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. CST in Memphis, Tenn. |
