HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – A thrilling second half lifted the Centenary University men's basketball team to a 64-53 comeback win over Neumann University in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action on Saturday afternoon. The Cyclones honored senior Hamp Smith before the final home game of the year.

The Knights, who came into the game among the top three teams in the league, opened the game on a 14-2 run. The run was capped by a lay-up from Aaron Johnson-Chavis at 15:44. Neumann extended its advantage to 20-4 as Billy Cassidy connected on a three-pointer at 12:21.

Trailing 24-10, Centenary used a 8-2 run to pull to within eight, 26-18 with 6:18 left until the half. Freshmen Chris LaBelle and Michael Young each scored three-points during that stretch.

Neumann pushed its lead back to 10, 28-18 on a jumper from Johnson-Chavis at 5:44. A 9-2 run pulled the Cyclones to within three, 30-27 with 2:10 left in the period. LaBelle connected on a pair of triples during that stretch. Johnson-Chavis made one-of-two chances from the foul line at 1:27 and Neumann took a 31-27 lead at the break.

Neumann scored eight of the first 14 points in the second half and took a 39-33 lead with 14:49 to play.

Freshman Larry Joseph connected on a pair of free throws at 13:18 that started a 13-3 run by the home team. That scoring spurt turned a six-point deficit into a four-point advantage for the Cyclones, 46-42 with 10:15 to go in the game. LaBelle accounted for five of the Cyclones' points during that run. 

A triple from Young pushed the Cyclones' lead to 49-43 with 9:09 showing on the clock.

A 9-3 run by Neumann tied the game at 52-52 with 6:37 left in the period. Jordan Collins had four points during that scoring spurt.

Eight straight points from the Cyclones gave the home team a 60-52 lead with 2:19 to go in the game. Joseph struck for four points during that stretch.

A pair of free throws from LaBelle with 20 seconds to play closed out a 64-53 win for the Cyclones.

Centenary shot 35.3 percent from the field and drained nine three-pointers in the contest. The Cyclones were a perfect 7-for-7 from the foul line. Neumann posted a 42.2 field goal percentage and knocked down six three-pointers. The Knights were just 9-for-16 from the foul line. The Cyclones held a 39-35 advantage in the rebounding battle.

LaBelle had a season-high 27 points to lead the Cyclones. It was the freshman's fifth straight game scoring 20 or more points. He also contributed five assists, six rebounds and three steals. Smith posted 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals in his final appearance at home. Young added 11 points while Joseph had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Johnson-Chavis led Neumann with 12 points and four rebounds while Collins added 11 points.

The Cyclones are back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 14 as they travel to Keystone for an 8 p.m. game.