BALTIMORE, Md. (January 21, 2012) – The Cyclones women muscled through to a 69-54 win over Notre Dame of Maryland University in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) play.
In a game with little flow, Centenary used solid interior defense to force the Gators to shoot from the outside. The Gators were somewhat neutralized through the first half, but found their touch in the second.
The Cyclones, who took a ten point lead into the second half, saw the Gators strike for the first two baskets in the second half, cutting the lead to six. Centenary brought the lead to 34-25 early in the second half on a basket by senior Hannah Ally (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) only to see the Gators snap back, cutting the lead to six again. Centenary maintained composure, re-stretching the lead to ten at 40-30.
Centenary and Notre Dame of Maryland would continue at the same pace, with the Gators trying to comeback, while the Cyclones would bend, but not break. Notre Dame of Maryland would get as close as five points at 40-35 before the senior duo of Ally and Jen Vasta (Boonton, N.J./Boonton) would take the game over.
With Centenary leading 57-44 with just under five minutes remaining, the Gators started chomping away at the lead. Notre Dame of Maryland cut the lead to ten, then seven, and then six points with just over three minutes to go, when Ally stole the ball and passed to Vasta who dropped in a layup pushing the lead to 59-51.
One Gators' possession later, Ally picked the ball from the Gators and promptly poured the ball in the basket while getting fouled on the play. Ally converted the free throw, giving the Cyclones a 63-51 lead.
Vasta would add six more points down the stretch to help lock up a victory for the Cyclones. In the win, Vasta would record a game high 20 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Vasta and Ally combined for 38 of the Cyclones' 69 points, as Ally contributed with 18 points, six rebounds, and eight steals in the game. Junior Kellie Rose (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) went 5-6 from the foul line to help in the cause, finishing with seven points on the day.
With the victory, the Cyclones women improve to 12-5 on the season and 6-3 in the CSAC and find themselves on a three game winning streak. Centenary will next host Neumann University on Wednesday, Jan. 25th at 7 pm.