HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – The Centenary University men's basketball team sprinted out to an early lead and held off a second half charge from Widener University for an 84-82 win on Saturday afternoon.
For the fifth time this season, the Cyclones had all five starters score in double figures. Senior Billy Veras posted his sixth game of the season with 20 or more points while fellow senior Tyler White matched his career-high with eight assists.
The Cyclones' defense was locked in early as they held Widener without a point for the first five minutes of the game. During that time, the home team connected on several opportunities and opened up a 11-0 lead. White had five points during that stretch.
Eight straight points from graduate student Chris LaBelle helped the Cyclones increase their lead to 23-3 with 12:33 to go in the period.
A jumper from Veras at the 8:23 mark gave the home team a 27-13 advantage.
Sophomore Isaac Poueriet nailed a fastbreak lay-up at 4:26 as Centenary took a 40-25 lead.
Widener scored nine of the next 11 points and cut the Cyclone advantage to eight, 43-34 with 34 seconds left in the half.
Centenary scored the final four points of the period, including a fastbreak lay-up from LaBelle at the buzzer, and took a 46-34 lead at the break.
Widener scored six of the first nine points in the second half and cut the Centenary lead to 49-40 with 17:17 to go in the game.
The two teams traded points as senior Harrison Lucibello made two from the free throw line at 15:24 which gave the home team a 56-44 edge.
A three-pointer from Veras and pair of free throws from LaBelle and junior D'Angelo Blackmond gave the Cyclones a 65-52 lead with 10:52 to play.
A three-pointer from Luke Mazur and a pair of free throws from Kenny Lewis helped Widener get within five, 68-63 with 7:58 left on the clock.
The two teams traded points as a jumper from Veras at 4:51 pushed the Centenary lead back to 10, 76-66.
An 11-2 run by the Pride pulled Widener to within one, 78-77 with 2:11 to go. Jared Peters had four points in that run while Steven Matlack had five points.
A big three-pointer form White at 1:10 pushed the Centenary lead back to four, 83-79.
The two teams continued to battle as Widener was within two, 84-82 with 12 seconds left. However, the Pride couldn't get a last second basket to fall and Centenary claimed the win.
Centenary shot 44.8% from the field and was 16-for-25 from the foul line. Widener shot 46.2% from the field and was 15-for-19 from the foul line. Both squads pulled down 39 rebounds in the contest.
Veras and Blackmond led the Cyclones with double-double performances in the contest. Veras had 24 points and 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the year. Blackmond contributed 11 points and 14 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the year and sixth straight.
LaBelle did a little bit of everything as he contributed 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals. Lucibello had 13 points and four assists while White finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.
Matt Daulerio led Widener with 26 points and 11 rebounds.
Centenary is back in action on Tuesday, Dec. 21 when it hosts Marymount to open Atlantic East Conference play at 5 p.m.