HACKETTSTOWN, NJ – Senior Tyheim Monroe moved to the top of the Cabrini men's basketball scoring list tonight, as the senior paired 28 points and 28 rebounds to lead the Blue and White to an 89-66 win at Centenary.
Monroe, who already holds the program and conference record for rebounds, finished the night with 1,668 career points, breaking the previous mark of 1,641 held by Aaron Walton Moss (2011-15). The senior now ranks eighth in career scoring in Colonial States Athletic Conference history.
The Cavaliers used the first half to shake off two weeks of rust before exploding for 55 second half points, improving to 8-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference.
Monroe's 28 rebounds were also a career high and marked his third 20 point, 20 rebound performance of the season.
Not to be outdone, sophomore Keith Blassingale matched a career best with 26 points, marking his third consecutive game with at least 25 points.
Junior Anthony Wright-Downing added 10 points and five boards in his first action of the season, while classmate Ivan Robinson tallied eight assists.
Despite shooting north of .510 from the field in the first half, the Cavaliers could not pull away from Centenary.
Cabrini led nearly the entire 20 minute period and led by as many as 10 points midway through the stanza, as Robinson's fast break lay-up gave Cabrini a 20-10 lead.
Leading 33-26 after a bucket by junior Mike Doyle with 2:34 to play, the Blue and White watched Centenary close the stanza on an 8-1 run. The Cyclones took a slim 34-33 lead with 48 seconds left on the clock before Monroe split a pair of free throws, ending the half with the score tied at 34.
Centenary grabbed a slim lead in the opening minutes of the second half when Cabrini turned to its defense to take control of the game. Trailing 45-43 at the 16:09 mark, Blassingale drained a triple that sparked the Cavaliers on a 19-0 run over the next five minutes.
Cabrini held Centenary to 0-5 from the field and forced four turnovers during the run, while, on the other side of the floor, Blassingale keyed the run with 10 points, as Monroe and freshman Barry Quartlebaum combined for nine.
The Cavaliers did not let Centenary come within 15 points over the game's final 11 minutes and led by as many as 29 points.
The Blue and White pulled away in the second half on the strength of a 33-15 rebounding advantage and 12 more field goal attempts. The Cavaliers also converted 12 second half offensive boards into 19 points, while surrendering just four second chance points for the Cyclones.
Chris Labelle led Centenary with 24 points, while Rashaan Spencer and Larry Joseph combined for 25 points.
The Cavaliers will return to Nerney Field House on Saturday, as they host Keystone College (5-5, 4-0 CSAC). Tip is slated for 3pm.