SEWANEE, Tenn. –
Luka Avaliani posted a career-high 31 points,
Russ Marr set the school record for points and Sewanee outlasted Centre College, 83-81, in men's basketball action here Wednesday night at Juhan Gymnasium.
The Tigers (14-6, 6-1 SAA) needed the herculean effort from Avaliani to survive against the Colonels and even the season series after Centre gave Sewanee its only conference loss last Wednesday in Danville, the first of two games the Tigers played without Marr.
Avaliani made 11-of-20 shots overall and 9-for-12 at the foul line, including 1-of-2 foul shots with 16.5 seconds remaining, giving Sewanee a two-point lead. The Colonels' (12-7, 4-3 SAA) Landen Hamilton also netted 30 points but fouled out with 1:50 remaining.
Jaxson Banks attempted a 3-pointer in the final seconds but the first shot was blocked by
Graham Smith and the second attempt went off the backboard and was rebounded by
Tre Corrigan to end the game.
Marr returned from injury to play 25 minutes, netting 15 points, the last four at the foul line to break the all-time Sewanee points record held previously by Kit Walsh (1773 points, 1988-91).
The contest was tied 10 times and there were 17 lead changes, 12 of those in the second half. Neither team led by more than five points in the final 20 minutes and the game was tied at 76 with four minutes to go after Hamilton posted a layup, part of his 13-for-25 effort from the field, most of them around the goal.
Avaliani netted two free throws the next time down for the Tigers and after Banks missed a 3-pointer, Avaliani scored around the rim for an 80-76 edge with 2:30 to go. Hamilton missed but the offensive rebound turned into a Banks three from the corner, making it a one-point game with two minutes left.
Marr was fouled by Hamilton and made both shots with 1:50 left, setting the record. Kalib Thomas' shot was blocked by
Fletcher Bigham, with Smith picking up the rebound, but Corrigan missed a 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock, giving Centre another chance to tie the game.
Banks drove to the rim and made a layup with 51.7 seconds remaining and he tied up Avaliani on a drive to the basket with 30.7 seconds left for one more chance for the Colonels. Marr drew a change on a drive by Thomas with 20.7 seconds on the clock and Avaliani's free throw provided the final margin.
Smith finished with nine points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four blocks while Bigham collected 15 points.
Ryan Shene made six 3-pointers and netted 18 points for the Colonels and Banks collected 15 points.
Centre started slowly from the field, hitting 3-of-15 in the first eight minutes. Bigham netted six of the first eight points of the game for the Tigers and Avaliani added four points as well for a 10-5 edge.
Marr's 3-pointer from the top of the key and two baskets by
Eli Holland extended the lead to 17-7. The Colonels found the range from the field, putting together a 10-2 spurt behind two 3-pointers from Shene and two baskets by Hamilton. The Tigers made 1-of-6 shots and committed one turnover during the run.
Field goals from Avaliani and Bigham ended the stretch but Shene was dialed in for the visitors, hitting another three to answer one from the corner by Smith. Banks added a triple for the Colonels before a three by Sewanee's
JD Gardner.
Nolan Wahl's putback and a layup by Hamilton cut the Tigers lead to one, but
Reid Carrier made a 3-pointer on the other end. Centre kept coming though, with Wahl scoring again and a triple by Banks giving the Colonels their first lead of the half at 33-32.
Avaliani slashed to the rim for a basket before Shene netted his fourth triple of the half. Avaliani connected on two free throws and Carrier made another three in the final seconds for a 39-36 Sewanee edge at the break.
After starting 3-of-15 from the field, Centre made 12-for-22 in the final 12 minutes of the period. Shene led the Colonels with 12 points and Hamilton recorded 10. Avaliani and Bigham each netted 10 points for the Tigers.
Sewanee travels to Millsaps College this Saturday for a 3 p.m. contest and returns home February 7 and 9 for the team's final regular season home games.
