ALLENTOWN, Pa. (January 9, 2012) – The Centenary women's basketball team took the lead shortly after tip-off and maintained a lead from start to finish in the Cyclones 77-56 win over Cedar Crest College in a Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) matchup.

The Cyclones stormed out of the gate, scoring the first eight points of the game before the Falcons scored their first basket at the 16:45 mark of the first half. Cedar Crest would close to within four points before Centenary would rebuild its lead to nine on a steal by freshman Andrea Innis (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) who would add to the theme of going coast to coast, by heading straight down the court for a layup to give the Cyclones a 14-5 lead. The Falcons would come back again behind the shooting of Megan DeMutis to narrow the lead to 14-11, before junior Kellie Rose (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) would spark the Cyclones with six points in just over two minutes to once again stretch the lead to seven, 22-15.

The Cyclones would continue expanding their lead by pushing the ball quickly up the court off defensive rebounds, not allowing the Falcons defense to get set. Centenary would head into the locker room with a 40-29 lead.

Cedar Crest, looking for momentum, received a much needed three point basket in the opening seconds of the second half, but the Cyclones responded with a 7-0 run. After a bucket by the Falcons, junior Danielle Trucksess (Collingswood, N.J./Collingswood) delivered four consecutive points to push the score to 53-41 with 12:44 remaining in the game.

The Cyclones, knowing Cedar Crest was rotating just seven players, continued an up tempo pace which led to quick transition baskets. When not scoring on fast breaks, Centenary used solid play in the paint from senior Chelsea Shaw (Ledyard, Conn./Norwich Free Academy) and junior Kristen Cenicacelaya (Hackettstown, N.J./Hackettstown). Shaw and Cenicacelaya each delivered eight points while the duo also brought down seven and six rebounds respectively.

In the end, Centenary was too much for Cedar Crest to handle as the Cyclones walked away with a 77-56 lead to improve their record to 9-4 and 3-2 in CSAC play. The Cyclones will next head to Gwynedd Valley, Pa. on Wednesday, Jan. 11 to take on Gwynedd-Mercy College Griffins at 6 pm.