HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – The Centenary University women's basketball team rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit for a 70-59 victory over Penn State Harrisburg on Monday night. Sophomore Taylor Bossert and freshman Carmen Escano each scored in double figures in the second half to lead the comeback.

"At halftime, we talked about doing what we do at practice," said head coach Rose Haller. "In the first half we did nothing we do in practice, in the second half we came out and played the style of defense we wanted to play. We started running the lanes, making some shots and I though the other team was tired at the end because we were running again."

PSU Harrisburg jumped out to an early lead as Kendis Butler's three-pointer at 5:41 gave the visitors a 13-3 advantage. Butler had three triples during that early run.

The two teams continued to battle as Anna Mahan's basket at 2:19 extended the Nittany Lions' lead to 17-9.

Sophomore Victoria Jacobs made one of two from the foul line in the final minute as PSU Harrisburg took a 17-10 lead after 10 minutes of play.

Five straight points from the Cyclones to open the second quarter cut the Nittany Lions' advantage to two, 17-15 with 8:35 to go until the half.

PSU Harrisburg responded by scoring 10 of the next 14 points and pushed its lead to 27-19 with 3:31 to go. Laurel Amey tallied five points in that run.

A 5-1 run by the Cyclones pulled the home team to within four, 28-24 with 2:30 showing on the clock. Bossert had a three-pointer during that run.

The Nittany Lions scored the final five points of the second quarter and took a 33-24 lead at the half.

Centenary opened the third quarter on a 9-0 run and tied the game at 33-33 with 6:44 left in the period. Jacobs tallied seven points during that stretch.

The Nittany Lions pushed their lead back to three on a triple from Macy Carroll at 6:25.

The Cyclones responded with an 11-3 run and took a 44-39 lead with 3:20 showing on the clock.

A traditional three-point play from freshman Janne Rowan with 20 second remaining in the period gave the Cyclones a 51-42 lead with 10 minutes to play.

A pair of free throws from Escano at 8:33 of the fourth quarter gave the Cyclones their largest lead of the game, 55-42.

A lay-up from Rowan at 6:13 gave the home team a 59-47 advantage.

A pair of free throws from Amey at 2:51 cut the Centenary lead to eight, 61-53.

The two teams traded points over the final two minutes as a pair of free throws from Jacobs in the final 36 seconds sealed a 70-59 win for the Cyclones.

Centenary shot 41.4 percent from the field and was 18-for-23 from the foul line. Penn State Harrisburg posted 37.9 field goal percentage and was 6-for-10 from the charity stripe. The Cyclones won the rebounding battle, 45-27.

Bossert had a team-high 16 points, 11 of which came in the second half, for the Cyclones. She added five assists and two rebounds. Sophomore Jessica McKenzie had her second double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds while Jacobs finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. Escano scored 10 of her 13 points in the second half to become the fourth Cyclone in double figures.

Amey had 16 points to lead PSU Harrisburg.

The Cyclones resume Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) play on Saturday, Jan. 4 when they host Cedar Crest at 1 p.m.