CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. (February 4, 2012) – The Cyclones women fought back from an early deficit to take a lead into halftime, but could not hold off Baptist Bible College in the second half, falling to the Defenders 68-54 in a important Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) game.

Centenary went down 8-0 to begin the game as Baptist Bible's Ruthie Butts connected on two three-pointers to start the game, but the Cyclones would work back after receiving their first basket from junior Danielle Trucksess (Collingswood, N.J./Collingswood). Centenary would cut the lead to three on a steal and layup by senior Jen Vasta (Boonton, N.J./Boonton) before the Defenders would respond.

Baptist Bible would go up by three before Trucksess would tie the game at 14 midway through the opening half. Once again, the Defenders would regain the lead, this time going up by five. As was the story of the first half, the Cyclones would claw back again, this time using some solid play on the defensive end.

With just over six minutes remaining in the half and Baptist Bible possessing a 22-18 lead, senior Bridget McCann (Keyport, N.J./Keyport) swatted away Defenders' shots on two consecutive trips down the court. Freshman Andrea Innis (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) hit for two of her eight first half points, narrowing the score to 22-20. The Cyclones stopped Baptist Bible on the next trip, then got the game tying basket on a jumper by senior Jasmine Rosa (Dumont, N.J./Dumont).

Baptist Bible would again take the lead on a basket by Melanie Williams, however Centenary would take their first lead of the game with 2:45 remaining in the half when Innis drained a three point basket. As was the story of the first half, the Defenders would retake the lead again. The Cyclones, not to be deterred then got four consecutive points by senior Hannah Ally (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) heading into the half to give Centenary a hard fought 29-28 halftime lead.

The Cyclones would start the second half strong, with Innis scoring the first five second half points for Centenary, helping to keep the lead in the early going. Baptist Bible would eventually take the lead, and stretch the lead to six at 42-36 before Trucksess would again strike from long range to cut the Defenders lead to 42-39.

Three points would be as close as Centenary would get however, as the Defenders expanded their lead to eight with under seven minutes remaining. The Cyclones would try to fight back, but in the end, Baptist Bible maintained the lead, eventually taking the game 68-54.

The loss drops the Cyclones to 14-8 on the season and 7-6 in conference play. More importantly, Centenary no longer has a margin for error as the top six teams will advance to the CSAC playoffs. The Cyclones now are in a battle with Cabrini College for the sixth and final spot with three regular season CSAC games remaining.

Centenary will next play on Wednesday, Feb. 8th as they travel to Rosemont College to take on the Ravens at 6 pm. The Cyclones will return home on Saturday, Feb. 11th to host Keystone College on Senior Day with a ceremony to honor the Cyclones' seniors before the game.