HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – Seven players scored at least three points but it was not enough as the Centenary University women's basketball team fell to the College of Saint Elizabeth, 54-41 in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action on Wednesday night.

The Cyclones jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead as sophomore Carly Tarnowski knocked down a bucket at 7:30 of the first period.

Centenary pushed its lead to 8-4 on another Tarnowski bucket, this time at 2:47.

Saint Elizabeth scored the final six points of the stanza and took a 10-8 lead after 10 minutes of play.

Centenary scored three of the first five points in the second quarter and cut the Eagles' lead to 12-11 with 7:55 to go until the half.

Saint Elizabeth used a 7-2 run to extend its advantage to six, 19-13 with 4:15 showing on the clock. Maria DeVincenzo had five points during that scoring spurt.

The two sides traded baskets as sophomore Victoria Jacobs hit a jumper to pull the Cyclones to within five, 22-17 with 2:03 to go before the half.

The Eagles closed the quarter on a 8-3 run and took a 30-20 lead at the break.  

Saint Elizabeth scored 11 of the first 15 points in the third quarter and pushed its lead to 42-24 with 4:45 to play in the period. DeVincenzo had six points during that stretch.

Centenary responded with a 10-2 run of its own and cut the deficit to 10, 44-34 with 1:19 showing on the clock. Sophomore Taylor Bossert drained a pair of three-pointers during that scoring spurt.

Saint Elizabeth got a late free throw and took a 45-34 lead with 10 minutes to play.

Bossert connected on a pair of free throws to open the fourth quarter scoring at 9:16. That cut the Centenary deficit to nine, 45-36.

Saint Elizabeth responded with a 9-2 run and pushed its advantage to 54-38 with 2:25 to play. Alani Jones had four points during that stretch.

The Cyclones scored the final three points of the contest as the visitors claimed a 54-41 win.

Saint Elizabeth shot 40 percent from the field and was 11-for-19 from the foul line. Centenary posted a 34.7 field goal percentage and went 4-for-11 from the charity stripe. The Cyclones won the rebounding battle, 37-33.

Jacobs had eight points, five rebounds and four steals for the Cyclones while Tarnowski added eight rebounds and five rebounds. Bossert posted eight points and four assists while freshman Janne Rowan led the Cyclones on the boards with seven.

DeVincenzo led Saint Elizabeth with 16 points and six steals.

The Cyclones will be back in action on Tuesday, Dec. 17 when they host Penn College at 1 p.m.