Posted: Mar 13, 2021
HOUSTON, Texas -- Down 14 points with 14:42 remaining, St. Thomas went on a 15-0 run to take its first lead of the game and pulled away at the end to earn a 67-58 victory in 2021 SCAC Men's Basketball Tournament semifinal action Saturday afternoon at the Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center. Official Tournament Website
After Centenary had dominated the first 25 minutes of action, which included shooting 51.9 percent (14-27) from the floor and 66.7 percent (6-9) from distance in the opening half, St. Thomas locked down the Gents for the final 15+ minutes of clock time, outscoring Centenary 34-11 over that stretch to advance to next weekend's tournament final.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After its red-hot first half, Centenary shot just 29.0 percent from the field (9-31) in the second half, which included 15.4 percent (2-13) from three-point range.
- St. Thomas did not take its first lead until a 15-0 run put them out in front, 48-47, following a pair of Juan Hood free throws with 7:46 remaining.
- After shooting just 26.5 percent (9-34) in the opening half, St. Thomas bounced back to shoot 43.3 percent (13-30) in the second half.
- St. Thomas had 26 points in the paint to Centenary's 20, including outscoring the Gents 22-8 in the second half.
- Points at the foul line helped provide the final margin as St. Thomas hit 14 of 17 free throw attempts (82.4 percent) to Centenary's 4 of 7 (57.1 percent).
ST. THOMAS STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Christian Alaekwe: 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, two blocks
- Juan Hood: 20 points, four steals, two rebounds
- Freddie Ricks: 9 points, two rebounds
- Cameron Gims: 8 points, nine rebounds, five steals
CENTENARY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Ralph Johnson: 17 points, four rebounds, two steals
- Seth Thomas: 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks
- Neil Hawkins: 4 points, 13 rebounds
- Kyle Mingo: 5 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals
NOTABLE
- In its first-ever SCAC men's basketball tournament appearance, the Celts will play for the championship next weekend.
- Saturday's tourament game was the season rubber match as the two split their two games over the final regular season weekend. St. Thomas took the first game 66-63 and Centenary bounced back the follwing day for the 71-69 win.
- Centenary, the defending SCAC Tournament champion, ends its season with an 8-4 record.
UP NEXT
St. Thomas (10-4) advances to take on the winner of Sunday's No. 1 Trinity and No. 5 Austin College men's second semifinal in next weekend's conference championship final. If Austin College pulls the upset, next weekend's game will be at St. Thomas. If Trinity wins, the game would be played in San Antonio. Next weekend's men's championship game date and time will be announced by Monday.
St. Thomas (10-4) advances to take on the winner of Sunday's No. 1 Trinity and No. 5 Austin College men's second semifinal in next weekend's conference championship final. If Austin College pulls the upset, next weekend's game will be at St. Thomas. If Trinity wins, the game would be played in San Antonio. Next weekend's men's championship game date and time will be announced by Monday.
