Hackettstown, NJ – The Centenary men's basketball team advanced to the Colonial States Athletic Conference semi-finals after defeating Immaculata University 72-63 on Saturday. The Cyclones now gear up to face No. 2 Neumann University February 24
th, 2015 @ 7pm.Â
Following a very successful regular season, Centenary continues to raise the bar with 15 wins in a single season and the programs first ever trip to the Conference semi-finals. This is Centenary's fourth CSAC Tournament appearance. In their three prior trips, the men's basketball team has been eliminated in the first round.
However, this season, the Cyclone men have proven to be one of the toughest teams in the league.
"Their collective toughness on both ends of the floor, especially on the defensive end, has truly been special to see develop throughout the season. What I am most proud of is that we have a tightknit group that puts the success of the team ahead of their own and is committed to each other and committed to winning. They have adopted that mindset as a group and we have become tough to play against."  - Coach Fusina
This year, Centenary hosted Neumann University on January 7
th for their first game of the New Year and the visiting Knights went home with a 61-56 win. At the half, Neumann had a 14 point lead (32-18) after Centenary struggled to get anything going on the offensive end.   Â
After the break, Centenary trailed 36-19 at the 18:36 mark, but as shots started to fall for the Cyclones, they began to chip away at the deficit and tied the game at 46-46 with 5:06 to go. Both squads traded baskets, but the Knights grabbed a 53-50 lead with 1:23 to go and never looked back. The Knights sealed the game at the free throw line going 8-for-10 down the stretch.Â
Andy Charles and
Rashaan Spencer led the charge scoring 26 of their 31 combined points in the second half.
Neumann's DeShawn Lowman led the Knights scoring with a team high 16 points, Kevin Green chipped in 14 and Denzel yard added 10 points.Â
Two weeks later on January 24
th Centenary went on the road to Neumann coming away with a 73-68 win. In yet another close game, the Cyclones had the lead throughout most of the half until a 14-4 run from the Knights gave them the half time lead (34-28). In the second half, the Knights widened the gap to 12 by the 14:26 mark.Â
Trailing 51-45 with 9:02 left, the Cyclones went on a 14-0 run courtesy of
Rashaan Spencer who hit four of his five three pointers to give Centenary a 56-51 advantage. With under five minutes to go, the Cyclones held on to the lead shooting 90 percent from the line over the next four minutes to seal the game.Â
Andy Charles and
Rashaan Spencer once again led the way for the Cyclones as they combined for 45 points in the win. Neumann's James Butler led the Knights with 17 points, while Kevin Green added 12 and Andrew Moye finished the night with 10.Â
Tomorrow night's game against Neumann will not be easy as both squads take pride in their game especially on the defensive end. Neumann currently leads the league in scoring defense allowing an average of 67.2 points per game, while Centenary sits tied for third allowing only 69.1 ppg.Â
"Neumann is a very well coached team and extremely difficult to play against. They are very talented and they defend really well. I feel that we need to play with great focus and energy on both sides of the floor to be successful. To win on the road in tournament play, you have to defend and play hard. The two best defensive teams in the CSAC Semifinals will be playing against each other, so it will be fun to watch." – Coach Fusina
Tomorrow night's CSAC Semi-final game is scheduled for 7pm in Aston, PA at the Mirenda Center.
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Can't make the game? Follow it live…
Live Stats link:
http://www.sidearmstats.com/neumann/mbball/Live Video:
http://media.neumann.edu/Â
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