HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – The Centenary University men's basketball team scored its most points since the 2016-17 season in a 102-55 win over Penn State Lehigh Valley in its season opener on Saturday afternoon.

The Cyclones presented interim head coach Jason Geleski with a win in his first contest. He is the first Cyclone men's basketball head coach to win his debut in the last 21 years.

"I thought we did well for a fairly young team today," said Geleski. "I thought our young guys locked in and rebounded the ball. I thought there was great energy and everyone came to play today."

Centenary quickly sprinted out to a 12-0 advantage in the contest. Sophomore Billy Veras had eight early points for the Cyclones.

The Cyclones pushed their lead to 20-4 on a fast break lay-up from sophomore Tyler White at 11:04.

An 8-0 run in a just over two-minute span pushed the Centenary lead to 29-7 with 8:06 to go until the half. Junior Chris LaBelle had four points during that stretch.

A bucket from senior Pablo Vasquez at the four-minute mark gave the home team a 39-12 advantage.

The two teams traded baskets down the stretch as the Cyclones took a 48-21 lead at the half.

The Cyclones scored the first six points of the second half and extended their lead to 54-21 with 18:25 to go in the game. Vasquez scored four of the six points during that stretch.

The two teams continued to battle as lay-up from senior Emmanuel Osei pushed the Centenary advantage to 65-27 with 14:13 showing on the clock.

A lay-up from sophomore Harrison Lucibello at 7:54 gave the Cyclones an 81-40 lead in the game.

The two teams traded points over the next several minutes. Sophomore Paul LiTrenta scored the final four points of the game for the Cyclones as they secured the 102-55 win.

Centenary shot 51.9 percent from the field while connecting on 40 field goals. The Cyclones also went 20-for-35 from the charity stripe. Penn State Lehigh Valley posted a 26.8 field goal percentage and was 11-for-24 from the foul line. Centenary won the rebounding battle, 66-34.

Fourteen Cyclones scored at least three points in the game. Freshman Owen Roberts III came off the bench to contribute a team-high 14 points while Osei and sophomore Divine Anderson each tallied 12 points. Veras led all players on the boards with 11 rebounds.

Hesro Johnson led Penn State Lehigh Valley with 16 points.

The Cyclones will be back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 13 when they travel to Gwynedd Mercy at 7 p.m.