SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Third-seeded Centenary College outlasted sixth-seeded Southwestern University, 57-47, in a defensive clinic in the quarterfinal round of the 2023 SCAC Men's Basketball Tournament on Friday night. Official Tournament Website | Photo Gallery | Postgame Interview | Men's Tournament Stats
Centenary pushed its lead to 44-26 midway through the second half before Southwestern began a comeback bid. The Pirates pulled to wthin nine thanks to a 17-8 run that cut the Gentlemen's lead to 52-43. Centenary snuffed out the rally and earned the victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Centenary and Southwestern combined to shoot just 30.3 percent (27-of-89) from the floor, including 23.3 percent (14-of-60) from beyond the arc.
- Desite the offensive struggles, Centenary had three players score in double figures, led by a game-high 15 points from both Tyke Singleton and Seth Thomas. Jalen Behr added 13 points for the Gentlemen.
- Brock Luechtefeld and Josh Jones each scored 10 points for the Pirates.
- Centenary took a 31-20 lead at halftime.
- Southwestern narrowly outrebounded Centenary by a 36-34 margin.
- The Gentlemen forced 22 Pirate turnovers and translated them into 22 points off of turnovers.
CENTENARY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Tyke Singleton: 15 points, seven rebounds, three steals
- Seth Thomas: 15 points, six rebounds, three steals
- Jalen Behr: 13 points, seven rebounds, two steals
SOUTHWESTERN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Brock Luechtefeld: 10 points, seven rebounds
- Josh Jones: 10 points, one rebound
NOTABLES
- The game was the first tournament matchup between the two schools since Centenary recorded an 87-80 victory over Southwestern in the 2015 semifinals.
- Overall, it marked the fourth all-time meeting in SCAC postseason play between Centenary and Southwestern. The all-time tournament series is now tied at 2-2.
- Prior to tonight, the two teams met three straight years in the SCAC tournament (2013-2015).
- Centenary has advanced to the semifinal round four straight years and eight total times in program history.
- Centenary swept the regular season series over Southwestern earlier in the year.
- Southwestern ends its season with a 10-16 record.
UP NEXT
Centenary (18-8) advances to the semifinals where the Gentelmen will take on second-seeded Trinity University tomorrow at 7pm CT. This will be the first tournament matchup between Centenary and Trinity since 2019 when the sixth-seeded Tigers upset the third-seeded Gents in opening round play.
