BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Birmingham-Southern men's basketball team defeated SAA opposition Centre in double overtime in a complete team effort on Friday night.

The Colonels had the upper hand to start the game with a 25-15 lead after eleven minutes of action. Four threes, including two straight, gave Centre their largest lead of the first half. A big three by Nolan Dean then started a short run for the Panthers as they cut the deficit to two with 6:49 to go. 'Southern then tied the game at 32 with 4:04 to go after an Eric Robinson three, but two consecutive Centre buckets put them back up five. Good free throw shooting by the home side tied the game at 37 with 1:14 remaining in the half, but Centre went into the break up 39-37. 

After trailing at the break, BSC got off to an excellent start with a 16-5 run in less than four minutes with two threes each from Kaleb Green and Brandan Copeland. The Colonels cut the lead to  six with 13:53 to go, but the Panthers then caught fire again. 'Southern went on a 12-0 run in a little over two minutes of play to extend the lead to 72-54 for the largest lead of the night. When the game looked to be in total control for the Panthers, Centre went on a 17-5 run to cut the deficit back to six with 6:35 to go. The Panthers held on to their lead and led by one with 36 seconds to go after a big three from the Colonels. Having to foul, Centre put the Panthers at the line with 24 seconds to. They would go one for two at the line to remain in the lead 93-91. The BSC defense forced a turnover, but Centre pressed and won the ball back with 13 seconds left. They then would make a clutch layup with four seconds to go to force overtime.

In the first overtime, the Panthers led by one with 49 seconds remaining after a clutch Jay Gillispie free throw. Centre then drew a foul on a three-point attempt and knocked all three free throws down to go up two. On the next possession, Brody Davis made a big time shot with 16 seconds to go to head to a second overtime period.

The second overtime period was all Panthers. They scored on their first six possessions of overtime while keeping Centre out of their basket. 'Southern won the second overtime period 14-1 in dominating fashion to win their fourth consecutive game and second straight conference contest. 

BSC Leaders

Jay Gillispie recorded his first career triple-double with 20 points, 19 rebounds, and 11 assists. Kaleb Green finished with 22 points including five threes and four rebounds. Brody Davis had 21 points six rebounds, three assists, and four blocks. Brandan Copeland finished with 19 points, four rebounds, and two assists. 

Final Score: BSC 116, Centre 103

Records
Birmingham-Southern (8-6) (2-1 SAA), Centre (5-8) (0-2 SAA)

Up next
The Panthers will be back home on Sunday, Jan. 7 to take on conference opponent Sewanee at 3:00 p.m. in Bill Battle.