HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – The Centenary University women's basketball team battled back from a 16-point deficit for a 53-39 win over Lancaster Bible College in the season opener for both squads.

"I'm very excited about the change in our culture," said head coach Rose Haller. "This team is young, exciting and willing to work hard. I wasn't worried about when we were down 16 because I know this team has the fight in them."

Lancaster Bible jumped out to the early lead in this one and took an 8-0 advantage with 6:55 to in the first. Caitlin Hickey scored four points during that run. Lizzy Tilton made one-of-two from the foul line at 3:19 as the visitors took a 17-1 lead.

Centenary scored the final eight points of the first period and cut the Lancaster Bible lead to 17-9.

Sophomore Jessica McKenzie tallied the first three points of the second period and helped Centenary cut the Chargers' lead to five, 17-12 with 9:40 showing on the clock.

Five straight points from Hickey pushed the Lancaster Bible advantage back to 10, 22-12 with 7:53 to play until the half.

The two teams continued to battle before the Cyclones closed the half on an 8-2 run and cut the Lancaster Bible lead to four, 26-22 at the break. McKenzie had four points for the Cyclones during that stretch.

Centenary scored nine of the first 11 points in the third quarter and turned a four-point deficit into a three-point advantage, 31-28 with 6:17 showing on the clock. Sophomore Carly Tarnowski scored four points during that stretch.

The two teams continued to battle back-and-forth as three straight points from Paige Towne gave Lancaster Bible a 37-34 lead with 17 seconds left in the stanza.

Centenary scored the first 12 points of the fourth quarter and took a 45-37 lead with 5:36 left in the contest. Sophomore Taylor Bossert chipped in five points during that stretch for the Cyclones.

Lancaster Bible briefly halted the Centenary scoring stretch with a basket from Hickey at 3:15.

Centenary scored the final eight points of the game and secured the 53-39 win.

The Cyclones shot 35.8 percent from the field and made 14-of-20 shots from the foul line. Lancaster Bible shot 26.9 percent from the field and was 10-for-18 from the foul line. Centenary won the rebounding battle, 53-39.

McKenzie led the Cyclones with 17 points and 13 rebounds for her first double-double of the year. Bossert chipped in 13 points and three assists while freshman Janne Rowan chipped in eight rebounds.

Hickey led Lancaster Bible with 19 points and four rebounds.

The Cyclones are back in action on Tuesday, Nov. 12 when they host Wilkes at 7 p.m.