GEORGETOWN, Texas - The Gents visit to the 2017 Southern Collegiate Conference Men's Basketball Tournament came to a close Friday night, February 24, as Centenary (12-14) was knocked out of the Tournament for the third year in a row by Texas Lutheran (17-9) in an 88-85 loss in the SCAC Quarterfinals.
Despite a back-and-forth game with eight ties, Centenary trailed 84-78 with 31 seconds left. Senior James Sapp made a layup, and junior Trey Barstow made a steal that led to a three pointer by junior Travion Kirkendoll to cut the deficit to one. However, the Bulldogs made all four free throws in the final seconds as the Gents lost by three.
James Sapp had quite the game to finish out his career in a Gents uniform. He scored 25 points and grabbed 13 boards for his 15th double-double of 2016-17 and the 38th of his career. Kirkendoll and sophomore Treylan Matthews chipped in 18 each, while junior Trey Barstow hit all three shots - two of which were behind the arc - and all three free throws for 11 points.
Down 14 with 4:22 left in the first half, Centenary scored 16 unanswered in a three-minute span to take its first lead since the game's opening minutes. Sapp hit a jumper and Barstow made a layup for his only shot from inside the arc. However, he was fouled and made the ensuing free throw to cut the deficit to single digits. Matthews made a layup, Kirkendoll split from the line, and Sapp drained a three to pull Centenary within one possession.
Centenary capped the run when Sapp made two free throws and a Barstow triple put the Gents up 39-37 with 1:14 left in the first half.
Tied at 39 at the break, the Maroon and White made four free throws and a Kirkendoll dunk off an offensive rebound to begin the second half. Centenary led 45-40 with 17 minutes left in the game, its largest lead of the contest. However, Texas Lutheran led for most of the second half after building a six-point advantage.
Before the big run by the Gents in the first half, Texas Lutheran scored 10 unanswered to take its largest lead of the game. Up 27-23, Jacob Kouremetis hit a jumper off an offensive rebound. He hit a three, followed by a Zach Behr jumper.
Kouremetis capped the run with a three. He led the team with 23 points, including a 13-for-16 mark from the charity stripe. Sterling Holmes added 18 points and a team best seven rebounds.
