DANVILLE, Ky. – Senior Ryan Jenei hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with just over three minutes left in overtime to help Oglethorpe avoid a scare late in regulation and secure an 89-85 victory at Centre Friday night in a Southern Athletic Association road game. Fellow senior Uba Ezigbo led the Stormy Petrels with his first collegiate double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds, and he nearly hit the triple-double mark with seven assists.

Oglethorpe seemed to have pulled away for good near the end of regulation when 3-pointers by Ezigbo and Trey Harris bookended a 13-5 run that put the Petrels ahead 74-65. But, Centre's last gasp featured a 4-for-7 effort from the perimeter in the final four minutes to close the gap with a 14-5 run and force overtime.

In fact, three of Centre's last four possessions in regulation included a made 3-pointer.

It all made things look grim for the Stormy Petrels, but the team stepped up in a big way in the extra period. Jackson Kemp started overtime with a putback to give the Petrels the early lead, then Jenei knocked down what proved to be the game-winning 3-pointer a minute and a half later.

Jenei would go on to pad Oglethorpe's lead with a tough reverse layup, making it 86-81, then Kemp scored Oglethorpe's next basket to make it 88-83 near the two-minute mark. Jenei and Kemp each scored five to account for all 10 Oglethorpe overtime scoring.

"The last time we played Centre, we made some really clutch plays and got some key stops to pick up a great come-from-behind win," said Head Coach Philip Ponder. "Tonight, we did not close out as well as we would have liked to, but we showed some poise in overtime and pulled out a big road win. Every road win is a good win."

Game Notes

• After Ezigbo, Jordan James followed with 18 and Jackson Kemp with 16, both tying their career highs.
• Jenei scored 11 and went 3-for-6 from the perimeter.
• Ezigbo's seven assists were a career high.
• Oglethorpe completed the season sweep over the Colonels after winning 81-77 at home on January 13.
• Oglethorpe has now won the last seven meetings between the two teams.
• Oglethorpe moved to 10-13 on the season and 5-7 in the SAA.

Up Next

Oglethorpe finishes its 2022-23 regular season road slate with Sewanee Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. The Stormy Petrels then close the regular season with Berry at home next Wednesday at 8 p.m. The SAA tournament is set to begin the following Sunday with the top four seeds hosting quarterfinal games.