HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – Sophomore Taylor Bossert scored a team-high 20 points, but it was not enough as the Centenary University women's basketball team fell to Cairn University, 59-51 in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action on Saturday afternoon.

Cairn jumped out to the early advantage as Dakota Hitchner hit a three-pointer at 5:05 which gave the visitors a 9-4 edge.

Centenary responded with a 7-2 run and tied the game at 11-11 with 2:32 showing on the clock. Bossert and sophomore Victoria Jacobs each drained a three-pointer during that stretch.

Carin went back on top briefly with a pair of free throws from Jana Goodman at 2:14.

Centenary scored the final five points of the period and took a 16-13 lead after 10 minutes of play.

Cairn scored the first four points of the second quarter and took a 17-16 lead with 8:41 to go until the half.

Centenary responded with an 8-3 run and held a 24-20 edge with 4:14 showing on the clock. Freshman Janne Rowan had four of the eight points in that stretch.

The two team traded points over the final four minutes of the half, before a late bucket by the Highlanders sent the two teams into the break tied at 27-27.

Centenary opened the third quarter on an 8-4 run and took a 35-31 lead with 3:59 to go in the period.

Cairn scored the final eight points of the period and took a 39-35 lead through three periods of play. Hitchner scored six of the eight points in that stretch.

Cairn scored three of the first five points in the fourth quarter and pushed its advantage to 42-37 with 8:21 to play in the game.

Centenary used a 12-4 run to turn its deficit into a three-point advantage, 49-46 with 4:38 to go in the game. Bossert was responsible for 10 of the 12 points scored by the home team during that stretch.

Cairn scored the next 10 points in the contest and took a 56-49 lead with 1:20 showing on the scoreboard.

Sophomore Carly Tarnowski briefly halted the Cairn run with a bucket at 1:05 but the Highlanders scored the final three points of the game and secured the 59-51 win.

Cairn shot 42.6 percent from the field and made 18-of-25 chances from the foul line in the contest. The Cyclones posted a 26.8 field goal percentage for the game and were 8-for-13 from the foul line. Cairn won the rebounding battle, 47-38.

Bossert added three rebounds and two assists to go along with her 20 points. Tarnowski added 10 points and four steals for the Cyclones while freshman Carmen Escano led the team on the boards with eight.

Hitchner finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Highlanders.

Centenary visits Bryn Athyn on Wednesday, Feb. 19 before returning home to host Notre Dame on Saturday, Feb. 22.