GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - Southwestern University Men's Basketball captures a third one possession victory in the past seven games with a massive victory over Centre College on Friday night, 72-71. The Pirates entered the game tied in conference play with Centre, improving to 8-9 overall and 2-4 in the SAA. Southwestern also improves to 4-3 at the Robertson Center after recording only one home victory last season. 

Major conference stakes were on the line as the Pirates looked to jump the Colonels in the standings as the top six teams make the SAA tournament. The Pirates trailed 71-69 before senior Shobby Enakpene buried a dagger three with 16 seconds left on the game clock. The Pirates forced two missed Colonels shots on the other end to clinch the victory. Enakpene has been cold-blooded all season with the game on the line with three game-winners. 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• The Pirates and the Colonels both entered the game at 1-4, tied for sixth in the SAA, both desperately needing to separate themselves in a tough conference. 
• However, the Colonels were picked to finish first the preseason coaches' poll with an abundance of talent. 
• Southwestern started senior Luke Hatcher, junior Luke Mills, junior Zach Gomez, sophomore Aedan Lewis, and Enakpene. Unfortunately, junior forward Zach Shugars was out due to injury that could likely cause additional games on the sideline. 
• Both teams traded blows as the score remained within one possession majority of the first ten minutes. Hatcher drilled a triple to build a 27-23 lead. 
• Freshman Sawyer Batz contributed a massive double-figure night, knocking down a triple and sending the Pirates up 42-37 at halftime. 
• Centre capitalized on a sloppy start to the second half from the Pirates, tying the game at 42. 
• Southwestern defended the three-point line well in the second half, holding Centre to 3-13 while building a 62-56 lead going 5-10 from three themselves. 
• However, Centre roared back to take the 68-64 lead before Lewis completed the bucket and the foul. 
• Lewis is not known for his free throw presence, but hit two clutch shots to pull within two points with a minute remaining. 
• Southwestern stifled Centre on defense with the ball down two points with 24 seconds. Lewis kicked it out Enakpene beyond the arc who buried the triple with 16 seconds remaining. 
• The Colonels had a clean tip in opportunity on the other end that barely missed, clinching a Pirate victory at home. 

GAME NOTES

• The Pirates found a way to win on a night they were out rebounded 46-39. 
• Southwestern has won three games by one possession. All three games held clutch moments from Enakpene and Lewis. 
• The duo scored 44 points combined. Enakpene led the Pirates with 23 points and five assists, while Lewis posted 21 points on seven boards. 
• In conference play, Enakpene averages 19 PPG, while Lewis averages 15 PPG and six rebounds per game. 
• Redshirt sophomore Eli Bradley logged major minutes with six rebounds, while Batz added 13 points off the bench. 
• Batz totaled his fifth double-digit scoring night, coming off the bench in all 17 games and bringing energy. 
• Enakpene surpassed 600 career points tonight. 

UP NEXT 
Southwestern stays in Georgetown to battle Sewanee on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.