LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. -- A slow start was too much to overcome for the LeTourneau men's basketball team on Saturday in an 88-75 loss to Centre in the finale of the 84 Lumber Classic, hosted by Covenant.

It was the first loss for LeTourneau (3-1) on the year.

Jackson Mayes (25) and Teigan Edwards (24) combined for 49 points in the loss. Mayes added four rebounds and four assists, while Edwards tallied five rebounds and two assists. Logan Brinkoeter totaled nine points and Branson Lynn contributed seven points with five assists.

The YellowJackets were slowed early on by Centre (4-1) defensive pressure. That helped the Colonels build a 10-point lead (18-8) after a Garrison Hildebrandt layup with 10:32 left in the first half.

Mayes and Edwards heated up later in the half and got LeTourneau back within striking distance. An Edwards steal and layup cut the deficit to five (25-20) with 6:53 remaining in the half. That was as close as LeTourneau got the rest of the opening period as Centre extended its lead back to double-digits at 48-35 at the break.

LeTourneau briefly cut the deficit below double-digits early in the second half on an Edwards layup that made it 48-39 with 17:28 left.

Centre had the answer each time, however. Drake Ingram drilled a 3-pointer on the Colonels next possession to make it a 12-point game (51-39) and the Centre lead never dipped below 10 the rest of the game.

LeTourneau was limited to 39.3 percent (22-of-56) from the field and 7-of-20 from 3-point land. The YellowJackets made 24-of-33 from the free throw line.

Ingram led Centre with 24 points as four Colonels were in double-figure scoring. Kalib Thomas had 18 points, Landen Hamilton 12 and Riley Mastin 11. Centre connected on 50.8 percent (31-of-61) from the floor with 12 3-pointers.

UP NEXT

LeTourneau returns to action on Dec. 2 in the SCAC opener vs. Centenary (5:30 p.m.). It will be RG Night inside Solheim Arena.

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