DANVILLE, KENTUCKY - Southwestern University Men's Basketball made a second half charge on Friday, but could not overcome their first half hole against Centre College, falling 76-69. The Pirates drop to 9-10 overall and 3-5 in conference play. Southwestern remains at fifth in the conference standings with an opportunity to jump Sewanee in the standings on Sunday. 

The Pirates traveled to Kentucky and came out slow, down 53-29 with 16 minutes to play in the second half. However, Southwestern mounted a 26-8 run to pull within six points with five minutes remaining. The Colonels regained control and took the second leg of the SAA battle. Senior Shobby Enakpene garnered his fifth 20+ point game in SAA play, leading all scorers with 24. 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Southwestern traveled to Danville on Thursday afternoon for a Friday night battle, looking to sweep the two season matchups. 
• The starters were senior Luke Hatcher, junior Zach Gomez, junior Luke Mills, sophomore Aedan Lewis, and Enakpene. 
• The Pirates struggled to gain rhythm offensively, down 30-11 with eight minutes remaining in the first half. 
• Hatcher helped close the gap to 43-27 at halftime with five straight points. 
• However, the squad started the second half flat once again, allowing easy buckets at the rim down 53-29. 
• Southwestern found their spark after two timeouts and fired off an impressive 26-8 run, shocking the Colonels down only six. 
• The spark was ignited by Enakpene and freshman Kalen Williamson. Enakpene couldn't miss on the run with 12 points, while Williamson played arguably his best stretch of college basketball with eight points. 
• Southwestern's run came too late as the Colonels executed down the stretch and at the free line to ice the game. 

GAME NOTES

• Hatcher finished with 11 points and seven rebounds, along with Enakpene's 24 as the lone Pirates in double-figures. 
• The Pirates found their stride in the second half, winning 42-33. 
• Southwestern also lost the rebound battle, 52-44. 

UP NEXT
Southwestern has the chance to bounce back on Sunday in Sewanee, Tennessee at 1 p.m. The Pirates could vault into fourth place as only six teams qualify for the SAA tournament.