SCRANTON, Pa. – All five Cyclone starters scored in double figures but a big first half allowed Scranton University to earn a 93-75 win over the Centenary University men's basketball team in the opening game of the Scranton Tournament on Friday night.

The two teams traded baskets early in this one as a three-pointer from senior Billy Veras at 15:22 cut the Scranton lead to 14-8.

A lay-up from junior D'Angelo Blackmond at 12:29 made it an 18-12 game in favor of the home team.

Scranton closed the first half on a 30-16 run and took a 48-28 lead at the break. Jackson Danzig scored 12 points in that nearly 11-minute scoring spurt for the home team.

Centenary came out firing to start the second half and scored nine of the first 14 points and made it a 53-37 game with 18:03 showing on the clock. Veras had a three-pointer during that stretch.

Scranton scored the next four points and pushed its lead back to 20, 57-37 with 17:15 to go in the game.

The two teams continued to battle on both ends of the court as a Veras lay-up at 14:52 made it a 59-44 game.

Scranton pushed its lead to 65-46 on a Mason Thompson lay-up at the 13:23 mark.

A three-pointer from Tyler White at 13:09 jump started a 12-2 run by the Cyclones. That scoring spurt cut the Centenary deficit to nine, 67-58 with 9:29 to play. Blackmond and sophomore Isaac Poueriet each had four points during that stretch.

Scranton nine of the next 11 points and pushed its lead back to 16, 76-60 with 6:58 showing on the clock. Danzig had five in that stretch for the Royals.

Scranton maintained that double digit advantage over the final 6:30 and eventually settled for the 93-75 victory.

Centenary shot 46.8% from the field and made 13-of-22 chances from the foul line. Scranton shot 56.3% from the field and made 15-of-20 chances from the foul line. Centenary held a 37-31 edge in the rebounding battle. Scranton was aided by scoring 26 points on 25 Centenary turnovers.

Veras led the Cyclones with 17 points and nine rebounds while Blackmond added 15 points and nine rebounds. Graduate student Chris LaBelle had 13 points and six assists while White and senior Harrison Lucibello each scored 11 points.

Danzig led Scranton with 24 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Centenary is back in action on Saturday, Nov. 13 when it takes on Misericordia at 2 p.m. in the third place game of the Scranton Tournament.