CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. – Junior Chris LaBelle scored a school record 45 points to lead the Centenary University men's basketball team to a 98-94 overtime win at Clarks Summit University in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action on Tuesday night.

LaBelle's 45 points broke the previous school record for single-game points of 42, set by Rashaan Spencer against Neumann in 2016. It was just the third time in program history that a Cyclone has scored 40 or more points in a game. His 45 markers are tied for sixth most by a Division III player in a single-game this season.

LaBelle also reset his own school record for single-game free throws as he was 18-for-22 from the charity stripe in the contest (previous record was 16-LaBelle against Gwynedd Mercy in November).

"Chris is a great competitor," said interim head coach Jason Geleski. "When we needed him to step up, he did. I firmly believe he's the best player in the CSAC. We had very solid contributions all around, but Chris was just special tonight."

The game was a battle throughout as it featured nine ties and 11 lead changes.

Back-to-back three-pointers from LaBelle and Tyler White gave the Cyclones a 6-2 lead with 16:05 to play in the first period.

Centenary pushed its lead to 17-6 on a lay-up from freshman Owen Roberts III at the 10:49 mark.

A lay-up from sophomore Harrison Lucibello at 6:10 gave the visitors their largest lead of the game, 28-13.

The two teams traded points down the stretch as the Cyclones took a 36-28 lead at the break.

Five early second half points from graduate student Tom Weiler gave the Cyclones a 41-31 edge with 18:36 remaining in regulation.

A 9-4 run pulled the Defenders to within five, 45-40 with 16:55 showing on the clock. Marcus Dixon scored seven of the nine during that stretch.

The Cyclones and Defenders traded points as a pair of free throws from Donovan McCrae made it a two-point game, 54-52 with 13:13 to go.

Centenary pushed its lead back to seven, 66-59 on a traditional three-point play from LaBelle at the 9:03 mark.

Seven straight points from the home team tied the game at 66-66 with 7:41 remaining in regulation.

That started a stretch of five ties between the two schools over the final 7:41 of the game. The Cyclones took a five-point lead with 2:45 to go but couldn't hold off a charging Clarks Summit squad. Gideon Agbo had six points, including the game-tying basket with nine seconds left, in the final two minutes of the game.

The two teams head to overtime tied at 85-85.

The Cyclones and Defenders traded baskets early in the extra session as back-to-back buckets from Agbo gave Clarks Summit a 91-88 lead with 3:12 to go.

LaBelle went 4-for-4 from the foul line in a nine second stretch and pulled the Cyclones to within one, 93-92 with 1:20 left in overtime.

Each team went 1-for-2 from the foul line and Clarks Summit led 94-93 at the 1:11 mark. However, that foul shot from Agbo at 1:11 was the last point scored by a Defender in the game.

The Cyclones went 5-for-6 from the foul line in the final minute to secure the 98-94 win. LaBelle was 4-for-4 from the charity stripe in that stretch.

Centenary shot 41.9 percent from the field and was a solid 28-for-36 from the foul line. Clarks Summit posted a 45.6 field goal percentage and went 23-for-33 from the charity stripe. The Defenders won the rebounding battle, 37-32.

For LaBelle it was the fifth time this season he has scored at least 30 points in a game. In addition, he matched his career-high with 10 rebounds for his second career double-double. LaBelle also had three assists and a steal in the contest.

In addition, the Cyclones got 16 points each from White and Roberts III.

Dixon led Clarks Summit with 36 points while Agbo contributed 21 points and 14 rebounds.

The Cyclones have a quick turnaround as they welcome Keystone to Reeves Student Recreation Center on Thursday, Jan. 9 for an 8 p.m. game.