HACKTTSTOWN, N.J. (Jan. 13^th, 2016)– On Wednesday night, the Centenary College men's basketball team (9-5) took it to rival Neumann in an absolutely thrilling 100-94 overtime victory.
 
This was a game where there were multiple lead changes, momentum runs, offensive rebounding and everything in between. However, what stood out was the 42-point effort by sophomore Rashaan Spencer (Hackettstown, N.J. / Mount Olive). Spencer went 13-20 from the field, while shooting 6-10 from downtown and connecting 10 of his 11 free throws.
 
In the first half, both teams played very even despite sophomore Myles McLeod (Teaneck, N.J. / Teaneck) not playing for most of the half due to foul trouble. The teams headed into halftime with Neumann holding a 38-37 lead over Centenary.
 
In the second half it was clear that the "tougher team" according to Cyclones Head Coach Tim Fusina would pull ahead, and while Neumann certainly showed a couple of nice displays of skill, it was the Cyclones who gutted it out when it mattered.
 
The turning point in the game came with 3:08 remaining in regulation and Neumann leading the Cyclones, 73-70. McLeod had started to heat up, so he launched a three pointer, which didn't connect, but a great effort by junior Zachary Duymich (Millstone Township, N.J. / Allentown) to outwork two Knight defenders and grab the offensive rebound. Duymich then kicked it out to senior Anthony Bailey (Florida, N.Y. / SS Seward) who put up a three himself, which was rebounded by junior Paul Jones (Trenton, N.J. / Ewing), who then swung the ball to Spencer for a wide-open base-line triple to even the game at 73.
 
After a couple more tense moments, Centenary stopped the Knights on the final possession of regulation and the game went into overtime deadlocked at 77. The Cyclones began the extra frame by going on a 14-4 run until the 1:18 mark, where the Knights found some life. Neumann got the score to within four twice, but a couple of timely free-throws by Spencer sealed the game for Centenary.
 
Coach Fusina and the Cyclones will look to get on a winning streak when they tip-off against Gwynedd Mercy University on Saturday, Jan. 16^th at 2:00 p.m.