Centre College (24-4, 11-3 SAA) overcame an 8-point second half deficit to knock off Berry 72-69 Saturday afternoon in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Tournament championship game.
The Colonels opened the game on an 18-2 run, but the Vikings (19-9, 8-6) methodically chipped away at the lead by controlling the paint with big men Austin Brooks and Caleb Haynes.
Perry Ayers! Centre opens on 10-0 run!!! Back to back threes by Ayers. pic.twitter.com/9cT0flqMjO
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
Carter Baughman! It’s 13-0 Colonels! Back-to-back-to-back threes after hitting 20 yesterday! pic.twitter.com/m0RDkFZgPX
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
Holy &$)$!!! It’s 18-2! The trash talking has ended. pic.twitter.com/ZaUUQp6kb5
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
Berry stormed back to tie the game 36-36 at halftime.
HALFTIME: Centre College 36 Berry 36; Centre opened game with 18-2 run; Berry chipped and chipped and finally tied it. pic.twitter.com/GdkOEMxctC
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
The Vikings continued to pound it inside early in the second half, eventually stretching out to a 57-49 lead with 9:06 to play.
Things are getting heated; Centre get like this was a goaltend pic.twitter.com/6hZidIiCVx
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
Berry drains a 3-pointer. They have opened up a 50-43 lead over Centre with 11:44 to go. pic.twitter.com/a3Hdh5T907
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
Centre then got back-to-back three-pointers from Dawson Crump and art walker to trim the lead to 57-55.
Centre gets a much-need 3 to cut the lead to 5 pic.twitter.com/4miF88FeMj
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
Another 3!!! It’s game on now pic.twitter.com/5zokBch6xT
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
From there, the teams exchanged leads several times with Centre finally getting two free throws and two baskets from Jacob Bates to complete the victory.
Tie game!!!! pic.twitter.com/vwt9KuEWTc
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
And 1!!! Centre has the lead with 1:05 to play! pic.twitter.com/lN0lWYArLl
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
It’s good!!! Centre up 72-69 with 15.3 to go! Berry ball pic.twitter.com/grL1YND2KJ
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
One day after breaking a school record with 20 made three-pointers, the Colonels were 13-for-22 from long range in the win over Berry.
Senior Perry Ayers led the way for Centre with a game-high 23 points, including 5 made three-pointers. Crump came off the bench to add 13 points and 3 assists. Bates finished with 13 points.
Brooks came off the bench to lead the Vikings with 18 points.
Centre wins!!!!! FINAL: Centre 72 Berry 69 pic.twitter.com/vRx8pTro6S
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
With the win, Centre earns the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division III National Tournament. The Colonels will find out their destination and opponent at 12:30 pm EST today. The selection show will air live on NCAA.com.
Get that net Perry Ayers! Team high 23 points today. pic.twitter.com/2blxHEJ08B
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
Great moments after the game when the Colonels went over to thank their fans. pic.twitter.com/qfUFvmFcNf
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
The legend himself @centrebball Congrats Coach! pic.twitter.com/bS0ZisoIfo
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
It’s backwards! Haha Not Top 10! @ESPNAssignDesk pic.twitter.com/8oXFHGeAB0
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
This guy just won 5 free Papa John’s pizzas. pic.twitter.com/jHlUPAJJQd
— Anthony Wireman (@awireman) March 1, 2020
SAA All-Tournament Team:
Centre – Perry Ayers (MVP)
Centre – Dawson Crump
Berry – Austin Brooks
Hendrix – Seth Stanley
Millsaps – Saxton Becker
