Posted: Mar 05, 2021
SHREVEPORT, La. - Third-seeded Centenary College weathered a slow start to the second half and bounced back from a nine-point deficit to earn a 62-59 victory over sixth-seeded Texas Lutheran Univeristy in the quarterfinal round of the 2021 SCAC Men's Basketball Tournament Friday evening at Centenary's Gold Dome. Official Tournament Website
Seth Thomas' driving layup with 29 seconds remaining and subsequent free throw after the hoop and harm proved to be the final margin. TLU's Garrett Prince got a decent look at a three-pointer that bounced away at the buzzer.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Texas Lutheran led 27-25 at the half.
- After TLU went on a 13-0 run and took a 42-33 lead with just over 14 minutes remaining, Centenary fought back, capped by back-to-back three-pointers by Ralph Johnson and Kyle Mingo, to take a 50-49 lead with 6:15 remaining.
- Following Thomas' old-fashioned three-point play, TLU's Lister missed a three pointer that would have tied the game. However, Centenary's Ralph Johnson missed two free throws to leave the door open for the Bulldogs and set up the final sequence.
- Centenary shot 40.7 percent from the field (22-54) compared to 34.0 percent for TLU (18-53). The Bulldogs did convert 43.5 percent from three-point range (10-23) compared to just 25.0 percent (3-12) for the Gents.
- The Centenary bench outscored TLU's 25-13.
CENTENARY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Ralph Johnson: 19 points, five rebounds, two assists
- Seth Thomas: 12 points, six rebounds, two assists
- Tre Washington: 14 points, five rebounds
TEXAS LUTHERAN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Caleb Lister: 25 points, 11 rebounds
- Sebastian Andrade: 10 points, 10 rebounds, two assists
NOTABLE
- The game was rematch of last year's tournament final, which Centenary won 77-56, and the sixth time in the last seven years the two have met in the SCAC tournament. Centenary's victory evens their tournament matchups at 3-3.
- Either Centenary or Texas Lutheran has won five of the last six SCAC men's tournaments.
- Texas Lutheran ends its season with a 4-7 record.
UP NEXT
Centenary (8-3) advances to take on the winner of No. 2 seed St. Thomas and No. 7 Dallas next weekend. If St. Thomas wins, the Celts will host Centenary; if Dallas wins, the Crusaders would travel to Shreveport and play at Centenary next weekend. Dates and times for all semifinal games will be announced on Monday.
Centenary (8-3) advances to take on the winner of No. 2 seed St. Thomas and No. 7 Dallas next weekend. If St. Thomas wins, the Celts will host Centenary; if Dallas wins, the Crusaders would travel to Shreveport and play at Centenary next weekend. Dates and times for all semifinal games will be announced on Monday.
