CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Junior Chris LaBelle scored a game-high 26 points, including the 1,000th of his career, and helped the Centenary University men's basketball team hold off a late charge by Wilson College for an 87-86 win.

The Cyclones had five players score in double figures as they snapped a five-game losing streak in their Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) opener.

"Wilson is a tough team that competes for 40 minutes," said interim head coach Jason Geleski. "We had to match their intensity down the stretch to win. We handled their pressure very well in the second half and we were able to come away with a hard-fought road win in the CSAC, which is not easy to get. I'm very proud we took this step today."

The Cyclones jumped out to the quick 6-2 lead in the contest as sophomore Billy Veras scored a pair of baskets in the first two minutes of the contest.

Wilson used a 12-2 run to take a 14-8 lead with 14:38 showing on the clock. Zachary Powell had five points in that stretch.

The Phoenix pushed its lead to 17-10 on a traditional three-point play from Powell at 13:32.

An 8-3 run by the Cyclones tied the game at 25-25 with 7:28 to go until the half. Sophomore Divine Anderson tossed in five points during that stretch.

The two teams went back-and-forth as a three-pointer from Powell gave the home team a 31-29 edge with 4:50 left in the stanza.

A three-point play from Olamide Banjo gave the home team a 45-41 lead with 37 seconds to go.

LaBelle sunk a pair of free throws in the final 30 seconds as Centenary went into the half trailing by just two, 45-43.

A pair of three-pointers to start the second half gave Wilson a 51-45 lead with 18:30 to go in the game.

A quick 6-0 run by the Cyclones tied the game at 51-51 with 17:03 showing on the clock.

With the game tied at 56-56, Centenary used an 8-3 run to take a 64-59 advantage with 10:53 to go in the game. That run proved to be a crucial one as it gave the Cyclones the lead for good in the contest.

LaBelle reached the 1,000th point milestone as he sunk a three-pointer at 9:37 for a 67-63 lead. The junior is the eighth player in program history to reach the milestone and the first since Rashaan Spencer did so during the 2016-17 season.

"Angela and Frank LaBelle have done a great job with Chris," said Geleski. "He's a great example of a student/athlete. He's one of the hardest working kids I've been around. He's a pleasure to coach. Chris is a winner."

The Cyclones and Phoenix continued to battle as a pair of free throws from Anderson at 6:08 gave the visitors a 75-68 advantage.

A pair of free throws from LaBelle gave the Cyclones an 81-75 edge with 1:41 to play.

Freshman Owen Roberts III connected on a lay-up with 44 seconds to play and the visitors led 85-78.

Wilson scored eight of the final 10 points in the game, but it was not enough as Centenary held on for the 87-86 win.

The Cyclones shot 41.4 percent from the floor and made 22-of-35 chances from the foul line. Wilson shot 32.9 percent from the field and made 18 three-pointers. Centenary won the rebounding battle, 57-45.

In addition to his 26 points, LaBelle contributed four assists, three steals and two blocked shots. Veras had his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Senior Pablo Vasquez, Anderson and Roberts III all tallied 10 points for the Cyclones.

Powell led Wilson with 24 points.

The Cyclones are back in action on Tuesday, Dec. 10 when they travel to John Jay for a 7 p.m. game.