HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (February 1, 2012) – Despite junior Max Hughes (Nazareth, Pa./Notre Dame Green Pond) knocking away five three-pointers for 18 points on his 21st birthday, the Cyclones were unable to defeat the Gwynedd-Mercy College Griffins as they fell 93-79 in an important late season conference matchup.

The Cyclones came out attacking early on as Hughes knocked down a three to open up the game, but the Griffins answered right back with two layups and two free throws to take back the early lead.

After a couple exchanges of baskets back and forth, the Cyclones jumped on a 7-2 run to extend their lead out to 20-14 with just under ten minutes left in the half.

The Griffins responded with a run of their own to tie the game up, but back-to-back buckets from downtown by Andy Charles (West Orange, N.J./Montclair) and Warren Murphy (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) put the Cyclones ahead 27-21.

Both teams continued to battle back and forth for the rest of the half before the Griffins were able to respond with four late points at the end of the first half to enter the half with a 38-35 lead.

Coming out of the half, the Cyclones looked fired up as Charles started off the second half with a bucket from way downtown to tie the game up at 38-38.

Unfortunately for the Cyclones, the Griffins came firing right back as they responded with a 21-7 run to put them ahead 59-45. Despite a few Cyclone baskets, the Griffins were able to hold on and take home a 93-79 win over Centenary, pushing them to two games below the .500 mark in conference.

Hughes finished the game with 18 points, including a 5-9 mark from three-point range while also contributing with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Senior Larry Lenahan (South Amboy, N.J./South Amboy) finished one rebound shy of a double-double as he ended with ten points and nine rebounds in the Cyclones loss. Murphy led the team with his 20 points while contributing with seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

The Cyclones look to jump back on Saturday when they travel to Summit, Pa. to take on the Baptist Bible College Defenders as game two of a men and women's double-header. The men are scheduled to tip-off at 3:00pm.