LANGHORNE, Pa. – Freshman Michael Young connected on a three-pointer from the top of the arc with three seconds left to give the Centenary University men's basketball team to a 79-78 win at Cairn University on Wednesday night in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action.

The Cyclones opened up a 7-2 lead as senior Hamp Smith had a fast break lay-up at 18:07. Centenary pushed its lead to 12-7 on a three-pointer from freshman Chris LaBelle with 16:22 to go in the period.

A triple from freshman Greg Robinson gave the visitors a 17-11 lead with 14:39 showing on the clock. Another three-pointer, this time from junior Stewart Lester pushed the Cyclones' lead to ten, 25-15 with 11:53 left in the half. The two teams battled back-and-forth as a pair of free throws from Cairn's Donovan McCrae tied the game at 27-27 with 6:42 to go.

Centenary closed the first half on a 16-8 run and took a 43-35 lead at the half. LaBelle accounted for seven of the Cyclones' points during that key scoring stretch while freshman Larry Joseph added four points.

Cairn opened the second half on a 5-0 run, which made it a 43-40 game with 18:40 to play. The two teams continued to battle as the Highlanders pulled to within one, 45-44 16:39 to go in the period. Centenary pushed its lead back to five, 49-44 as Joseph connected on a pair of free throws at 15:47.

The Cyclones and Highlanders went back-and-forth over the next several minutes. Cairn took a 57-55 lead on a three-pointer from Seth Brunner at 9:48. However, the Cyclones answered right back as a 6-0 run gave Centenary a 61-57 lead with 8:16 to go in the game.

The two sides traded points on each end of the court. LaBelle made one-of-two from the foul line at 3:23 as Centenary took a 70-64 lead. The Cyclones led 74-66 as Joseph connected on his first chance from the charity stripe at 2:09.

Cairn used a 12-2 run to take a 78-76 lead with seven seconds to play. Jordan Koczman had five points during that stretch for the Highlanders.

The Cyclones inbounded the ball and after moving the ball around the arc, Smith found Young at the top of the arc and he connected on the game-winning triple with three seconds to play.

Centenary shot 54.7 percent from the field and made nine three-pointers. The Cyclones were also 12-for-16 from the foul line. Cairn posted a 51.9 field goal percentage and connected on five three-pointers. The Highlanders were 17-for-21 from the charity stripe. Centenary had 10 steals to Cairn's three.

LaBelle tied his season-high with 24 points, it was his seventh game this season with 20 or more points. Joseph contributed 15 points while Young had 13 tallies. Robinson was the fourth Cyclone in double figures as he finished with 12 points.

Koczman led Cairn with 20 points.

The Cyclones will be back in action Saturday, Feb. 3 as they host The City College of New York as party of the CUNY/CSAC Challenge. Opening tip is set for 3 p.m. from the John M. Reeves Student Recreations Center.