HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (January 7, 2012) – Despite a potential game-winning three-point attempt by junior Max Hughes (Nazareth, Pa./Notre Dame Green Pond) at the buzzer, the Cyclones fell to the Neumann University Knights 76-74 in an intense conference matchup on Saturday.

The Knights came out early, going on a 10-0 run to open the game before Centenary fought back with five unanswered points of their own to cut the lead in half. Down 34-20 with six minutes left in the first half, the Cyclones battled back with six consecutive points on a combination of Larry Lenahan (South Amboy, N.J./South Amboy), Zhimir Butler (Paterson, N.J./Manchester), and Gabe Cheavers (Howell, N.J./Howell) layups to bring the lead to within eight.

The Cyclones found themselves getting hurt by turnovers in the first half as Neumann was able to capitalize with 21 points off the 12 Cyclones turnovers to take a 47-36 lead entering halftime.

Coming out of the locker room fired up, the Cyclones went on a 14-7 run to open the second half to bring them to within four. Despite several free throws by the Cyclones, Neumann was able to bounce back and take a 69-61 lead with just under eight minutes to go.

Down only eight, junior Warren Murphy (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) teamed up with Lenahan to put the Cyclones on a 5-1 point rally to bring Centenary within striking distance, but unfortunately for the Cyclones, Neumann came back and fired with points of their own to extend out their lead once again.

With only seven seconds left in the game and the Cyclones down 75-72, Lenahan was able to knock home a quick follow-up layup to limit the Knight lead to only one before the Cyclones took a vital timeout to stop the clock.

After a quick Centenary foul, Mike Walukiewicz of Neumann hit the first of his two free throws before Hughes was able to bring down the second shot's rebound and drive down the court. With the clock winding down, Hughes pulled up just before the arc and threw up a shot at the buzzer that just hit off the rim, allowing the Knights to take home a 76-74 heartbreaker from the Cyclones.

Hughes finished the game with 10 points and nine rebounds, with all three of his shots made from outside the perimeter. Lenahan contributed with 20 points and four rebounds of his own while Murphy added 14 points and seven rebounds as well.

With the loss, Centenary falls to 6-7 on the year, including a 2-4 conference mark while Neumann, also now 6-7, improves to 3-3 in conference. The Cyclones return to action on Monday when they travel to Radnor, Pa. to take on the pre-season conference favorite Cabrini Cavaliers at 6:00pm.