HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (February 1, 2012) – Senior Hannah Ally (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) notched her 1,000th career point 22 seconds into the game, however Ally's milestone would be the only positive outcome of Centenary's game vs. Cedar Crest College as the Cyclones would fall 79-75 to the Falcons in a Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) tilt.
Ally becomes only the fourth women's basketball player in Cyclones' history to reach the thousand point milestone. Ally joins teammate Jen Vasta (Boonton, N.J./Boonton) who became the all time scoring leader in Cyclones' history Monday, in the 1,000 point club, along with Stephanie Roberts and Kristen Camuso as the only other Cyclones to reach the historic achievement.
The game was a back and forth affair with 14 ties and 10 lead changes, but it was the Falcons who would eventually prevail as Lizzy Sunderhaus proved too much for the Cyclones to handle. Sunderhaus began by dominating the first half, registering 17 points and 11 rebounds in the opening frame. Freshman Andrea Innis (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) did her part in going toe-to-toe in matching production by scoring 13 points of her own in the first half. Senior Bridget McCann (Keyport, N.J./Keyport) contributed with six points, five rebounds and two blocks in the first half to help send the Cyclones into the half tied at 30.
The second half proved to be a scoring frenzy as both teams would score at will. Sunderhaus continued her dominance, even stepping outside the paint to hit two three-pointers en route to 19 second half points. Again however, Centenary would have one of their own players respond as junior Danielle Trucksess (Collingswood, N.J./Collingswood) drained 21 of her 25 points in the second half including going 4-7 from three point range in the final half.
In the end, the Cyclones fought back down the stretch as Trucksess hit on one of her three point baskets with 4:35 remaining with Cedar Crest leading by eight, cutting the deficit to five. Centenary narrowed the lead to just one a little over a minute later before the Falcons rebuilt their lead to five with under :30 seconds to go. Trucksess would strike again for three, cutting the lead to just a deuce but Cedar Crest would convert their free throws eventually walking away with a four point victory.
With the loss, Centenary falls to 14-7 overall and 7-5 in the CSAC. The Cyclones next head to Clarks Summit, Pa. to take on Baptist Bible College on Saturday, Feb. 4th at 1 pm. The Defenders stand directly ahead of Centenary in the CSAC North standings. The Cyclones knocked off Baptist Bible at home, 67-54 in the first meeting of the season.