COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Despite taking an 8-point lead early, the Gents only shot 28.6 percent in the first half and 31.3 percent for the game - compared to 54.2 percent in the second half and 46.3 percent for the game for the Tigers - as Centenary (9-12, 3-7 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) lost its second tight game of the season to Colorado College (8-13, 7-3 SCAC) 72-67 Friday night, February 3.
Despite only hitting 10-for-35 from the field in the first half, Centenary was able to build an 8-point lead thanks to a 13-5 edge in second-chance points. However, Colorado College used a 10-2 run in the final four minutes to take a 32-30 lead into the break.
The teams combined for 10 lead changes in the second half, but a steal and the fastbreak layup by Eric Houska sealed the win for the Tigers.
With Centenary down 11-10 in the first five minutes, an 11-2 run put the visitors up eight. Sophomore Treylan Matthews drained a three and junior Travion Kirkendoll made a layup off an offensive rebound. Kirkedoll turned in an all-around game with 11 boards (six offensive) and 10 points to finish off the double-double. He also contributed five steals and five assists.
Matthews hit another three to extend the lead to 18-11, but Gabe Chavez answered with a layup. Freshman Cedric Harris capped the run when he was fouled shooting a triple, making all three from the line.
Besides Kirkendoll's fourth double-double of the season, senior James Sapp contributed 20 points and 11 boards for his 12th double-double of the season.
Centenary trailed by five with a minute left in regulation, but two Matthews free throws and a Kirkendoll tip-in off a rebound, around two missed from the line by Colorado College, cut the deficit to one. However, the Tigers sealed the game with a dunk and a steal and fastbreak hoop.
Colorado College trailed 28-22 with four minutes until the half, but a 10-2 run put the home team up two. John Hatch made a layup and CooXooEii Black added a jumper. A Houska three at the 2:11 mark gave the home team the lead for the first time in 13 minutes, but sophomore Mitchell Tarantolo answered with a jumper.
Ryan Young took the lead back with a pair from the line, and Black split as Colorado College led 32-30 at the break.
The Tigers shot 13-for-24 from the floor in the second half to hold on for the win.
Hatch led Colorado College with 29 points and 10 boards with four blocks. Houska poured in 21.
Centenary returns to action Sunday, February 5, when it travels to Dallas for a critical SCAC battle. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.
