HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Nov. 14, 2015) – It was a great opening night at the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center, as the Centenary College men's basketball team (1-0) got their season off to a solid start defeating the Privateers of SUNY Maritime College, 80-60 in dominant fashion.
 
The final score was not an indication of how the first half played out as the Cyclones were down by 15 points early, but were able to get their game together, and take control for rest of the game.
 
Cyclones Head Coach Tim Fusina talked about the difference between the first and second half, and emphasized the fact that his team started going inside, while improving their shot selection.
 
"We started going inside, and we stopped settling for perimeter shots," said Fusina. "We're a team that wants to go inside whether it be the post or drive, and when we play the way we play, we are very good and I think tonight is proof of that."
 
Fusina also spoke very highly of sophomore Rashaan Spencer (Hackettstown, N.J. / Mount Olive), who scored 27 points to ignite the Cyclones comeback.
 
"Yeah, Rashaan's the best scorer in the league, and I don't think there's any question that he's the best scorer in our conference," exclaimed Fusina. "When he gets going he's tough to stop. Whether it be a catch and shoot situation or a drive. He also got to the line six times tonight, made five free throws, 4-9 from three, 9-18 overall and I think you will take that any night."
 
The other Cyclone who had a very good game was senior Anthony Bailey (Florida, N.Y. / SS Seward), as he finished with 20 points, and turned into a crucial man off the bench for Fusina.
 
"Anthony Bailey was very efficient in 31 minutes, getting 20 points, he's another guy that's a spark plug for us that gives us a lot of energy coming off the bench," said Fusina. "He's our 6^th man, he guards extremely hard and tonight he had some nice drives, he had some cuts to the basket, he screened, he was able to get into the post and score. He did an outstanding job, and I think everybody that played tonight; we got all 17 guys in and they did an outstanding job tonight."
 
There are always improvements that can be made, and even though the Cyclones won by 20 in the season opener, Fusina thinks there can still be some tweaks here and there.
 
"I think shot selection would be something we need to get better at and that probably has to do with patience," said Fusina. "I think we're pretty good defensively, and I think we'll only get better, it's offensively where sometimes our shot selection a little to fast, a little to panicky, and when we can slow ourselves down and get a great shot on every possession we're tough to beat."
 
Fusina and the Cyclones will look to get on a winning streak when they travel Bethlehem, PA to face the Greyhounds of Moravian College Wednesday on November 18^th, at 7 p.m.