Box Score The Maryville College Scots couldn't escape a 52 percent shooting attack, as the Center College Colonels escaped with a 73-62 win in the season opener.
The Colonels hit 24-of-26 shots (52.2 percent), while going 8-of-22 from beyond the arc to slow the Scots.
Centre led by as many as 13 — 30-17 — in the first half, before taking a 33-22 lead to the locker room.
Two free throws by Jaumonee Byrd was quickly followed by a trey from Jaylen Bowyer. Bowyer found a 3-pointer, two steals and two fast-break layups in a minute of play to pull the Scots to within two, 36-34.
That would be as close as they got, however, as Blake Scinta and Josh Karsner took it on their shoulders. Karsner finished the game with 23 points, while shooting 6-of-10 from beyond the 3-point line. Scinta added 22 of his own, shooting 8-of-8 from the floor.
Matt Gump added 11 for Centre, while Tyler Wesley pulled down nine rebounds to lead the Colonels.
Maryville was led by an 18-point outing by Byrd. He added two blocks and three rebounds, while going 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. Senior Christian Ford added 12 points, while leading the Scots with three assists. Oscar Butler had 11 points and nine rebounds.
Maryville managed seven offensive rebounds in the game, while pouring in 16 second-chance points.
The Scots will travel to Emory & Henry for a 7 p.m. tipoff of Tuesday, Nov. 18, before returning home on Nov. 22 for a 3 p.m. game against Sewanee.
