SCRANTON, Pa. – A big second quarter proved to be the difference as Marywood University claimed a 90-77 win over the Centenary University women's basketball team on Thursday night in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action.

The Cyclones outscored the Pacers in the first, third and fourth quarters but Marywood held a 28-10 scoring advantage in the second quarter.  

A jumper from senior Julia Presant allowed the Cyclones to open up a 6-2 lead at 8:02 of the first quarter. Freshman Danika Brandt connected on a jumper at 7:13 which pushed the visitors' advantage to 10-3. Back-to-back three-pointers pulled Marywood to within one, 10-9 at the 6:25 mark.

A 7-0 run by the Cyclones gave Centenary a 17-9 lead with 4:42 to go in the stanza. That scoring stretch was capped by a three-pointer from senior Rachel Edwards. The two teams traded baskets before Marywood used a 9-0 run to take a 25-22 lead with 36 seconds left in the period.

Brandt scored the final five points of the period, including a three-pointer with four seconds left. That gave Centenary a 27-25 lead after one.

Centenary scored the opening bucket of the second quarter, courtesy of freshman Julie Pankowski. However, Marywood responded with a 12-5 run and took a 37-34 lead with 5:28 to go in the period. Lisa Steakin and Erika Bistran each had five points during that stretch. The two teams continued to battle but Marywood scored nine points off turnovers in the period and took a 53-37 lead at the break.

Centenary opened the third quarter on a 12-5 run and cut the Marywood lead to nine, 58-49 with 5:38 showing on the clock. Senior Nicole Cartaino led the Cyclones with four points during that stretch while Edwards and senior Amber Reisenwitz each added three points.

A three-pointer from Catie Nealon gave Marywood a 67-51 lead with 1:32 to go in the period. The two teams traded baskets over the final minute and a half of the period as the Pacers took a 73-58 lead with 10 minutes to play.

The Cyclones and Pacers battled throughout the fourth quarter but Centenary was unable to overcome the double-digit point deficit. Marywood claimed the 90-77 victory.

Marywood shot 45.8 percent from the field and made 10 three-pointers. The Pacers were also 14-for-20 from the foul line. Centenary posted a 43.3 field goal percentage and connected on seven three-pointers. The Cyclones were 12-for-17 from the charity stripe. Marywood held a 49-35 advantage in the rebounding battle.

Reisenwitz and Cartaino led the Cyclones with 18 points each. Reisenwitz had a team-high nine assists while Cartaino grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Presant added 15 points while Edwards contributed 12 points and tied Cartaino for the team lead in rebounds.

Gab Giordano led Marywood with 30 points while Bistran added 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Cyclones return home to host Notre Dame of Maryland on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. Centenary will honor its four seniors prior to the start of that game.