HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – Freshman Jessica McKenzie pulled down a season-high 16 rebounds to go along with a game-high 16 points but it was not enough as the Centenary University women's basketball team fell to Notre Dame University of Maryland, 56-46 in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) play on Saturday afternoon.

The two teams battled early in the first quarter as junior Dayna Wich's lay-up at 7:26 gave Centenary a 6-4 edge.

Notre Dame responded with a 6-0 run and took a 10-6 lead with 4:49 to go in the stanza. Jaya Green scored four of the six during that stretch.

The two teams continued to trade points as a lay-up from McKenzie pulled the Cyclones to within one, 12-11 with 3:03 showing on the clock.

The Gators scored the final five points of the period and took a 17-11 lead after 10 minutes of play.

The Cyclones and Gators traded baskets to start the second quarter as Adrianna Fletcher's lay-up at 6:20 gave the visitors a 22-15 lead.

Centenary closed the second quarter on a 7-4 run and cut the Notre Dame lead to four points, 26-22 at the half. McKenzie had a pair of buckets for the Cyclones while freshman Jaiseeta Hall notched her first point as a Cyclone from the foul line.

Notre Dame outscored the Cyclones 15-9 in the third quarter took a 41-31 lead in the game. Justice Walrath had five points for the Gators during that stanza.

Notre Dame scored six of the first seven points in the fourth quarter and pushed its lead to 47-32 with 7:51 to play.

Centenary responded by scoring the next seven points in the game and cut the Gator lead to eight, 47-39 with 5:57 showing on the clock. Freshman Taylor Bossert scored five straight points during that stretch.

A three-pointer from Keyeria Dawson pushed the Notre Dame lead to 54-39 with 2:53 to play.

Centenary scored seven of the final nine points in the game as Notre Dame claimed the 56-46 win. McKenzie had four of the Cyclones' seven down the stretch.

Notre Dame shot 42.4 percent from the field in the game and made four three-pointers. The Cyclones finished the contest with a 30.0 field goal percentage and went 7-for-12 from the foul line. Centenary won the rebounding battle, 42-40.

McKenzie's double-double (16 pts., 16 rbs.) was her fifth of the season for the Cyclones. She also added two assists and two blocks in the contest. Sophomore Danika Brandt finished with nine points while Bossert contributed six points and six assists.

Daija Fitchett led Notre Dame with 14 points while Fletcher pulled down a team-best 10 rebounds.

The Cyclones are back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 16 as they travel to Cedar Crest for a 7 p.m. contest.