HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – A big first quarter propelled the Centenary University women's basketball team to a 67-38 win over Clarks Summit University in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action on Wednesday night. Four Cyclones scored in double figures, including senior Nicole Cartaino who had a double-double.

Centenary (8-10, 6-3 CSAC) jumped out to a 16-0 lead as senior Julia Presant hit a lay-up at 4:28. Presant had six points during that opening spurt while Cartaino added five points. Another basket from Presant pushed the home team's advantage to 20-6 with 3:09 to go in the period. The two teams traded baskets before a lay-up from Cartaino gave Centenary a 27-6 lead after 10 minutes of play.

Centenary scored nine of the first 13 points in the second quarter and took a 36-10 lead with 6:05 left until the half. Senior Amber Reisenwitz scored four points during that run for the Cyclones. The two teams traded baskets over the closing minutes of the second quarter and the home team took a 40-20 lead at the half.

Clarks Summit opened the third quarter on a 7-5 run which made it a 45-27 game with 4:11 to go in the period. Torri Erdman scored five points during that stretch for the Lady Defenders (1-17, 1-8 CSAC). Centenary responded with a 7-2 run of its own and took a 52-29 lead after three periods of play.

Centenary scored six of the first eight points in the fourth quarter and pushed its lead to 58-31 with 8:46 to go in the game. Freshman Danika Brandt converted a traditional three-point play for the Cyclones during that run. The two teams continued to battle as a rebound and a lay-up from sophomore Cailin O'Hara gave the Cyclones a 63-35 advantage with 4:11 showing on the clock. Sophomore Stephanie Jeter made one-of-two from the foul line with 34 seconds to play, that gave the Cyclones their largest lead of the game at 67-37. Erdman connected on a foul shot with 18 seconds left which made the final score 67-38.

Centenary shot 38.5 percent from the field and was 14-for-19 from the foul line. Clarks Summit posted a 34.1 field goal percentage but was just 8-for-16 from the foul line. The Cyclones won the rebounding battle, 48-27 as every player who appeared in the game grabbed at least one rebound.

Cartaino finished with 12 points and a season-high 14 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. The senior has scored in double figures in seven straight games. Presant tallied a team-high 14 points while senior Rachel Edwards added 13 points and four steals. Reisenwitz contributed 12 points and seven assists.

Erdman led Clarks Summit with 16 points and seven rebounds.

The Cyclones are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 27 when they travel to Cabrini for a 2 p.m. game.