CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. (February 4, 2012) – The Cyclones were able to take down the Baptist Bible College Defenders 78-72 in overtime in a must-win conference matchup on Saturday to improve their record to 11-11 with a 7-8 conference mark.

The Cyclones attacked right off the tip-off as sophomore Andy Charles (West Orange, N.J./Montclair drained a three in the first 11 seconds of the game to put Centenary up 3-0. That wasn't all for the Cyclones early as they continued on a 7-2 run to jump out to a 10-2 lead in only the first four and a half minutes of the game.

Unfortunately, the Defenders responded with an answer of their own as they came back with seven unanswered points to bring the game within one point before an exchange of baskets brought the game tied 15-15 with just under 12 minutes to go in the first half.

After a few Defender buckets, the Cyclones stormed on an 11-0 run to jump out to a 29-19 lead as seniors Daniel Stein (Holmdel, N.J./Holmdel) and Colin Horsch (Monroe Township, N.J./Atlantic Christian) paired up for three consecutive buckets from downtown.

The Cyclones continued to dominate from outside the perimeter in the first half as they entered the locker rooms with a 43-28 lead thanks to an 11-19 mark from downtown in the first half alone. The key in the first half for Centenary was their points off the bench as the Cyclones outscored the Defender bench 26-6 entering the half.

After a back-and-forth ten minutes to open the second half, the Cyclones were able to jump out to a 17 point lead at 60-43 with just under ten minutes to go, but the Defenders responded right back with a 21-5 run to bring the game to within one point with only 35 seconds away from the Cyclones taking home the win.

Following two needed fouls to stop the clock, the Cyclones were able to drain only two of their four free throw opportunities to bring the score to 67-64. With the clock running out, Stephen Howard was able to drain a three with only eight seconds remaining to tie the game up 67-67 and send the game into overtime.

The Cyclones knew they needed a win and proved it when they came out in overtime as junior Max Hughes (Nazareth, Pa./Notre Dame Green Pond) was able to drain a three to put Centenary up 70-67 early on.

Following an exchange of baskets, sophomore Gabe Cheavers (Howell, N.J./Howell) was able to boost the Cyclones back up with a huge block before committing a foul to send the Defenders to the line. Baptist Bible made sure to drain both free throws to bring the Cyclone lead to 71-70 with just over a minute and a half to go.

From there the Cyclones ensured their victory as they hit a layup and 5-8 of their free throws to bring them to a much needed 78-72 conference victory in overtime over the Baptist Bible College Defenders.

Stein finished the game with a huge 15 points off the bench with all 15 points coming from three-point range. The Cyclones finished the game shooting 48.3% from downtown, including a perfect 3-3 mark by Horsch.

The Cyclones return to action on Wednesday when they hit the road to take on Rosemont College at 8:00pm.