MACOMB, Ill.-The Centenary men's basketball team managed to tie the game with 1:20 remaining, but it was Western Illinois who would gain the late advantage, sending the Gents home with a 57-51 loss in Summit League play on Saturday evening.
The Gents (0-9, 0-2 Summit) used a balanced effort of scoring led by senior Roman Tubner with 10 points. Sophomore Travis Sims followed with eight, while freshmen Logan Lowery, Jonathan Blount and junior Maxx Nakwaasah each had seven.
Western Illinois opened the game with seven unanswered points before Centenary would join the scoring effort. Sophomore Baba Diallo gave the Gents their first basket when he connected on a three-point play off a layup and a free throw.
After the Fighting Leathernecks went up 10-3, Nakwaasah drained a three at 8:38 for Centenary's second field goal of the opening half. Lowery hit back-to-back jumpers to tie the game at 10-10.
Down 17-10, Centenary began chipping away at the Western Illinois lead, using five points from Tubner, two from sophomore Leo Davis, and a final two from Lowery to even the score at 22-22 to wrap up the first half.
Centenary gained its first lead of the night at the 17:45 mark in the second half on a Blount three-pointer. Western Illinois would follow that shot with a 10-5 run, regaining its lead.
A competitive final 10 minutes played out as Davis drained a three with 7:05 to play to narrow the score within one at 45-44. Sims would follow with a free throw to tie. After allowing four straight by Western Illinois, Centenary would even the score once again at 50-50 on a Tubner free throw with 1:20 remaining.
A final 7-1 run by the Fighting Leathernecks wrapped up a win for the home team.
Centenary shot 29 percent (14-49) from the floor, while Western Illinois was better at 40 percent (16-40).
The Gents were out rebounded, 37-30. Nakwaasah had a team-best eight boards.
Official stats at Western Illinois are still being edited. Box scores and html will come shortly.
Centenary will return to action on Tuesday at Arkansas-Monticello for a 7 pm contest.
