SHREVEPORT, La. – Southwestern led by double digits in the first half but couldn't hold onto the lead as Centenary got hot in the second half to defeat SU 71-57 on Saturday night.

After the eighth tie of the game with 5:58 left in the first half, Southwestern broke the game open and led by 12, 32-20, with 2:45 left in the frame. Centenary then got hot and cut the Pirates' lead down to seven, 35-28, by the time the halftime buzzer sounded.

Southwestern struggled to find the magic in the second half and allowed Centenary to chip away at their lead. By 13:15 Centenary had erased the deficit and tied the game once again 42-42.

Travis Kurtz's second free throw gave the Pirates the lead back 43-42, but just briefly as the Gents quickly took the lead on the next possession and never relinquished it.

Centenary closed out the game from the free throw line, never giving Southwestern a chance to close the gap as the game wound to a close.

Blake Scott had another big night, scoring 20 points on 10-14 shooting while Sean Myers added in 10. As a team SU shot 39.7% from the floor but just 17.6% form three point range and 42.1% from the free throw line.

Centenary's Jonathan Blount matched Scott's 20 points to lead the Gents who shot 45.8% from the floor and 27.3% from three point range and 88.9% from the charity stripe.

The loss drops Southwestern to 6-14 on the year and 3-7 in the SCAC while Centenary improves to 8-3 in the SCAC and 13-8 overall.