CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. – Freshman Billy Veras poured in a season-high 36 points to lead the Centenary University men's basketball team to a 89-84 win at Clarks Summit University in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) play on Wednesday night.

Veras' 36 points against the Defenders are tied for the third most in single-game history at Centenary and helped the Cyclones stretch their win streak to six straight games.

Centenary took an early 4-2 lead as sophomore Chris LaBelle knocked down a jumper at 17:31. However, that was the last points scored by the Cyclones until the 10:28 mark.

During that stretch, the Defenders went on a 13-0 run and took a 15-4 lead. Dennis Gray Jr. contributed five points during that run.

A lay-up from Veras at 10:28 broke up the home team's run and jump-started a run by the visitors. Centenary scored the next seven points in the game and cut the Clarks Summit lead to 15-11 with 9:30 showing on the clock. In addition to Veras' bucket, the Cyclones got a basket from sophomore Emmanuel Doh and a three-pointer from senior Tom Weiler.

The two teams traded baskets over the next several minutes as a lay-up from Veras at 6:15 tied the game at 22-22.

A three-pointer from Doh at the 5:40 mark, gave the Cyclones their first lead since the early going, 25-24.

The two teams continued to battle as Centenary scored seven of the final nine points in the half and took a 36-32 lead at the break.

Centenary opened the second half on a 14-10 run and took a 50-44 lead with 15:23 to play in the game. Veras tallied seven points during that stretch while LaBelle accounted for four points.

Clarks Summit scored 14 of the next 17 points and took a 58-53 lead with 11:14 to go in the period. Marcus Dixon scored four points during that stretch for the Defenders.

The two teams continued to battle as an old fashioned three-point play from Weiler put the visiting team on top, 59-58 at the 10:25 mark.

Seven straight points from Dixon gave Clarks Summit a 65-59 advantage with 8:26 showing on the clock.

The Cyclones and Defenders traded shots from behind the arc as Veras' triple at 5:15 cut the Centenary deficit to two, 72-70.

A jumper from Donovan McCrae at 3:38 put Clarks Summit ahead by five, 77-72.

A three-pointer from Veras on the next possession jump-started a 17-7 run by the Cyclones to close out the game and secured an 89-84 win for Centenary. LaBelle and Veras combined for 13 points during that stretch.

Centenary shot 47.8 percent from the field in the game and knocked down 14 three-pointers. The Cyclones went 11-for-20 from the foul line in the game. Clarks Summit finished the contest with a 55.9 field goal percentage and hit eight three-pointers. The Defenders were 10-for-14 from the foul line. Clarks Summit held a 36-24 edge in the rebounding battle.

Veras became the fifth player in program history to score 36 points in a game for the Cyclones. He added nine rebounds, three steals and two assists. LaBelle added 19 points, five rebounds and three assists while freshman Tyler White came off the bench to score 10 points.

Dixon led Clarks Summit with 32 points, seven rebounds and three steals.

The Cyclones are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 2 when they travel to Cairn for a 4 p.m. game.