HOUSTON,TX- The UST Celts faced off against Centenary College, the reigning 2024 SCAC champions, in a thrilling conference matchup. With relentless determination, the Celts emerged victorious, securing a 70-58 win and maintaining their perfect conference record and 16-1 overall record.
The first half was an intense contest characterized by an exchange of baskets and multiple lead changes. As the clock wound down to the final four minutes, Centenary went on a run, gaining a 24-21 advantage. They continued to build momentum, extending their lead to 29-23. However, the Celts fought back with a crucial bucket by Nathan Kongolo to cut the deficit to three. Despite the effort, a late three-pointer from Centenary pushed their lead to 32-27 at halftime.
The Celts came out of the locker room determined to keep their winning streak alive. The second half saw another series of back-and-forth exchanges, but with just under 10 minutes remaining, Marion Williams hit a clutch basket to tie the game at 39. From there, the Celts surged ahead with a pivotal three-pointer by Angel Johnson, giving them a 44-41 lead.
St. Thomas kept their foot on the gas, extending the lead to 50-42 with a layup by Reyce Allen. Ricky Altamirano sealed the momentum with a three-pointer, making it 58-49. The Celts controlled the game down the stretch and claimed the 70-58 win.
Angel Johnson led the Celts with an outstanding performance, tallying 22 points while shooting 15-17 from the free-throw line. He also contributed 6 assists and grabbed 4 rebounds, orchestrating the offense with poise. Reyce Allen was a dominant presence in the paint, recording a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, including several key second-chance opportunities. Marion Williams added a spark off the bench, scoring 10 points and hitting two crucial three-pointers that shifted the game's momentum in the second half.
Up Next
The Celts will travel to Irving, Texas, to take on the University of Dallas in another SCAC conference matchup on January 31st. For more updates on UST Basketball, follow @ustmbasketball on Instagram or visit ustcelts.com.
