SHREVEPORT, La. -- Third-seeded and host Centenary College outlasted sixth-seeded Schreiner University, 76-75, in the quarterfinal round of the 2024 SCAC Men's Basketball Tournament on Friday afternoon. Official Tournament Website | Photo Gallery | Postgame Interview | Men's Tournament Stats
In a back and forth affair that saw six ties and 12 lead changes as well as each team leading for at least 18 total minutes of game time, it was the host Centenary Gents who held on for the slim one point victory. Schreiner shot a blistering 50.0 percent (12-of-24) from beyond the arc compared to just 28.0 percent (7-of-25) for Centenary, but the Gents forced 22 Mountaineer turnovers and turned them into 25 points to help account for the winning margin.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Schreiner took an early 16-11 lead after a Beau Cervantes 3-pointer at the 14:42-mark of the first half.
- The lead was cut to 21-18 after Centenary's Craig Collier connected from beyond the arc with a little over six minutes to play in the half.
- A Cervantes jumper with 28 seconds left in the half gave the Mountaineers a slim 30-29 halftime lead.
- Two free throws from Schreiner's Cristian Rodriguez tied the game at 44-44 nearing the midway point of the second half before Centenary extended its lead to seven (53-46) with 10 minutes left.
- Cervantes connected from three-point range to cut the Centenary lead to 60-58 with five minutes left but the Gents were able to snuff out the comeback bid from the Mountaineers.
- Schreiner held a sizeable 42-27 edge in rebounding, including a 12-7 margin in offensive rebounds.
CENTENARY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Craig Collier: 12 points, three steals
- Seth Thomas {pictured}: 20 points, seven rebounds, four steals, 7-of-13 FG
- Tykeem Singleton: 12 points, three rebounds
- AJ Hall: 11 points, 4-of-8 FG
SCHREINER STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Beau Cervantes: 28 points, 8-of-15 FG (7-of-11 3FG) three assists
- Cristian Rodriguez: 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists
- Dylan Mackey: 17 points, 11 rebounds, 6-of-16 FG, four assists
NOTABLES
- Cervantes' seven three-pointers made ties for the fourth-most made in a single SCAC men's tournament game, and the most in a game since former Gent Cedric Harris had seven against Schreiner in a 2020 tournament game. The 12 threes by Schreiner is tied for the sixth most in a single tournament game.
- The game was the first tournament matchup between the two schools since Centenary recorded an 76-70 victory over Schreiner in the 2020 semifinals.
- Overall, it marked the fourth all-time meeting in SCAC postseason play between Centenary and Schreiner. The Gents lead the all-time tournament series 3-1.
- The win also improved Centenary to 11-10 all-time in SCAC postseason play. The 11 wins ranks fourth in league history.
- Centenary head coach Chris Dorsey recorded his 100th career win at Centenary with today's victory.
- Centenary has advanced to the semifinal round five straight years and nine total times in program history.
- Schreiner swept the regular season series over Centenary earlier in the year.
- The Mountaineers end the season with a 13-13 record.
UP NEXT
Centenary (15-11) advances to the semifinals where the Gents will take on second-seeded University of St. Thomas tomorrow at 2 p.m. CT. This will be the third tournament matchup between Centenary and St. Thomas and the first since 2022 when these teams met in the semifinals.
