By: Zachary Friedman

Scarborough, ON - Four Centennial Colts players scored in double digits, as the men's team opened their season with a 78-71 victory against the Georgian Grizzlies.

Bouncing back off a first-round playoff exit last season, the Colts (1-0) moved the ball around effectively shooting 43% from the field and recorded 18 assists on 29 baskets scored.

Deandre Goulbourne had a team-high 18 points to go along with seven rebounds and two steals. Tayeshaun Crawford was also productive in the win with 17 points and eight assists.

For the Grizzlies (0-1), Kevonte Anderson recorded a game-high 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting and Julien Duker had 13 points and five rebounds, shooting 50% from three.

A game of runs that went back and forth, Crawford carried the Colts, scoring 10 points in the opening quarter. But the Grizzlies came out firing hitting 6-of-12 from deep to hold a 23-21 lead at the end of the first.

The second quarter was all defence as both teams combined to shoot just 31% from the field. Goulbourne led the way with six in the quarter and scored a layup in the last minute of the half to send the Colts into the locker room up 35-34.

The offence for Centennial opened up more in the second half with Goulbourne and 7"2 centre Omar Nur combining for 13 points, Nur also secured six rebounds in the third, as the Colts entered the fourth quarter with a six-point lead.

The Colts kept the Grizzlies out of reach in the fourth, never allowing Georgian to get within six of the lead. Goulbourne had seven points and three assists in the fourth to close the Colts first win over the Grizzlies in over two years.

The Colts will look to continue their momentum on the road Friday evening as they visit the Algonquin Wolves.