CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. – Freshman
Carmen Escano pulled down a game-high eight rebounds, but it was not enough as the Centenary University women's basketball team fell at Clarks Summit University, 67-46 on Tuesday night in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action.
A three-pointer from
Selena Dinovo at 6:38 of the first period allowed the Defenders to open up a 9-3 advantage.
Centenary responded by scoring seven of the next 11 points in the game and cut the Clarks Summit advantage to four, 14-10 with 4:00 to go in the period. Sophomore
Victoria Jacobs scored five points in that run.
The two teams traded points over the next several minutes. Sophomore
Taylor Bossert was a perfect 4-for-4 from the foul line in the final 20 seconds for the Cyclones but Clarks Summit took a 17-14 lead after one.
A lay-up from Jacobs at 8:19 of the second quarter pulled the visitors to within two, 21-19.
Three straight three-pointers extended the Clarks Summit advantage to 30-19 with 5:27 left until the half.
A late bucket gave the Defenders a 36-24 lead at the half.
Clarks Summit shot 8-for-13 from the field in the third quarter and extended its lead over the Cyclones to 61-33 with 10 minutes to go in the game.
Centenary opened the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run and made it a 61-40 game with 7:34 to play. Jacobs converted a traditional three-point play during that stretch.
The Cyclones sandwiched a pair of jumpers from Escano around a Clarks Summit basket and the Defenders led 65-45 with 4:49 to go in the game.
Clarks Summit eventually claimed the 67-46 win.
Clarks Summit shot 45.3 percent from the field in the game and connected on nine three-pointers. The Cyclones posted a 31.1 field goal percentage and was 14-for-20 from the foul line. The Cyclones won the rebounding battle, 29-22.
Jacobs led the Cyclones with 15 points and six rebounds while Bossert connected for 10 points. In addition to her eight rebounds, Escano contributed six points.
Alison Aten led Clarks Summit with 16 points and four rebounds.
It's a quick turnaround as the Cyclones return home on Thursday, Jan. 9 to host Keystone at 6 p.m.
