By: Jordan Stoddart

SCARBOROUGH – Deandre Goulbourne's team-high 22 points and nine rebounds helped the Centennial Colts fend off the Fleming Knights 88-82 on Wednesday night.

The Colts took advantage of their looks offensively and found their groove early impressing interim head coach Chester Taylor in his first game at the helm.

"Our main thing was to stay together, and I think we did that very well. It's a testament to our program and what we are trying to do," said Taylor.

With just over a minute left in the first quarter, the Colts displayed some pretty passing when Tayeshaun Crawford launched a half-court pass to Tafari Lowe, who found Covaun Armstrong to finish the spectacular sequence.

The Colts (5-6) perfectly executed the full-court press and they put up 30 points to end the quarter. Armstrong poured in 10 points in the frame.

The second quarter saw the Colts extend their lead to 18, but the Knights kept fighting and cut that lead to four, as the Colts went into halftime up 45-41.

The Knights (3-8) took the lead at the 8:50 mark in the third quarter when forward Theon Esseboom converted an and-1.

A game of runs began favouring the Knights, with both fanbases getting behind their teams. The third quarter ended tied at 62.

Knights guard Nathaniel Brown had a game-high 28 points, but the Colts tenacious defence held him to a 10 of 30 shooting night from the field.

The Colts would close the game and improve their home record to 4-1.

Other Colts with big games were Armstrong producing 19 points and Husam Shallo with 16 points.

The next game for the Colts will be Saturday, January 21, at 3 pm versus the Georgian Grizzlies inside the Athletic Wellness Centre.