IRVING, Texas - The Gents trailed for most of the first 12 minutes of the second half and fell behind 62-56 with 7:26 left in the game, but a 19-3 run propelled Centenary (10-12, 4-7 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) to an 82-68 win at Dallas (7-13, 2-9 SCAC) Sunday, February 5.
The win gives the Gents a two-game advantage against the Crusaders and Austin College with three games remaining for the final spot in the SCAC Tournament.
However, the spark to jumpstart the run came from a player who had only scored 31 points on the season prior to the game. Junior Trey Barstow tipped the ball in on a missed shot and then converted an old-fashioned three as the Gents suddenly trailed by only one.
Dallas looked as if it may stay in control when it hit a pair from the line, but freshman Wyatt Behara made a jumper. Freshman Cedric Harris grabbed a steal and made the fastbreak dunk to give Centenary its first lead since the first minute of the second half.
The Crusaders forced the 10th tie of the game when it split from the line, but Kirkendoll made a jumper and hit a pair from the charity stripe to put Centenary up for good.
Barstow hit a three, Harris nailed a jumper and sophomore Treylan Matthews split from the line. The Gents led 75-65 with 1:57 left in the game.
All five starters reached double-figures in the game for the Maroon and White, with Harris leading with 17. Kirkendoll added 16, while Matthew had 12. Sapp and Barstow added 10 each, while Harris, Kirkendoll and Sapp all grabbed eight boards.
After Centenary scored the first six points of the game on a Barstow and Harris jumper around a Kirkendoll layup, both teams played a back-and-forth first half. Both teams were able to get five-point advantages in the period, but Dallas scored the final three points to pull within 31-29 at the break.
After both teams traded leads to begin the second, Centenary held a 54-53 lead with a pair of Sapp free throws with 10 minutes left in the game. However, the Crusaders went on a 7-0 run to build a 6-point lead. Michael Sarrat hit a jumper and Tom Kaiser made a fastbreak layup while being fouled. Darrius Colvin capped the mini spurt with a pair from the line.
Prince Giadolor paced Dallas with 15, while Kaiser chipped in 13.
Centenary kicks off a three-game homestand Friday night, February 10, against SCAC-leading Schreiner. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
