HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Jan. 16^th, 2016)- Despite sophomores' Rashaan Spencer (Hackettstown, N.J. / Mount Olive) and Myles McLeod (Teaneck, N.J. / Teaneck) combining for 34 points, the Centenary College men's basketball team couldn't overcome a 43 point second half from Gwynedd-Mercy in the 90-68 loss.

Julian Hyden made five triples and finished with 25 points for the Griffins who improve to 10-5 overall and 8-0 in the Colonial States Athletic Conference. Spencer finished with 18 points and McLeod finished with 16 points for the Cyclones who fall to 9-6 overall and 5-3 in the CSAC.

The Cyclones were in a dog fight from the opening tip, despite junior Paul Jones (Trenton, N.J. / Ewing) scoring the first five points to take a 5-0 lead with 18:55 remaining. Centenary and Gwynedd would trade baskets and the lead for the next few minutes. Spencer scored 10 of his 18 points in the first half, including a fast break layup on a steal and assist from junior Zachary Duymich (Millstone Township, N.J. / Allentown) to give the Cyclones a 33-31 advantage at the 9:14 mark.
The Griffins answered with a mini 5-0 run that gave them a cushion as they held a 47-42 lead at intermission.

In the second half, the Griffins continued where they left off by using a 9-2 run to balloon their halftime lead to 57-44 with 17:20 remaining. Centenary continued to fight, but the shots didn't connect for players like Spencer, McLeod and senior Anthony Bailey (Florida, N.Y. / SS Seward), as the Griffins eventually took their largest lead of the game behind the play of Hyden, Cedric Elleby and Darnell Artis.

Bailey finished with nine points, six rebounds and three assists, while Jones scored seven points and made three blocks.

Head Coach Tim Fusina and the Cyclones will return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 20^th in La Plume, Pa. against the Giants of Keystone College at 8:00 p.m.