HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – Freshman Kaylie Elsbree and sophomore Salma Eddahiri combined for 34 points and eight steals to lead the Centenary University women's basketball team to a 56-48 win over Cairn University on Tuesday night.

"I was pleased that we came together down two starters and figured out a way to get the win," said head coach Rose Haller. "On the other side of that we have to continue to work to learn to play within the system."

With Cairn (2-1) leading 2-0, Centenary scored 10 of the next 13 points and took a 10-5 lead with 3:35 to go in the period. Elsbree had five points during that scoring spurt.

A free throw in the final seconds from senior Taylor Bossert gave Centenary a 12-9 lead after 10 minutes of action.

A three-pointer from senior Danika Brandt at 9:14 of the second period gave the home team a 15-11 edge.

The two teams traded baskets on both ends of the court as Dakota Hitchner's lay-up at 5:40 gave Cairn a 22-21 lead.

A jumper from Eddahiri at the 1:32 mark tied the game at 25-25.

Kailee Sobrino's jumper with just 29 seconds left sent Cairn into the half with a 27-25 edge.

After Cairn scored the first bucket of the third period, the Cyclones responded with an 8-0 run that turned a four-point deficit into a four-point advantage. Elsbree and Eddahiri each scored four points as Centenary took a 33-29 lead with 6:20 showing on the clock.

Five straight points from junior Carmen Escano and baskets from Eddahiri and Elsbree gave the home team a 44-32 lead with 10 minutes to play.

An Eddahiri jumper at 8:25 of the fourth quarter pushed the Centenary lead to 48-36.

The two teams continued to battle as Bossert nailed a pair of free throws with 18 seconds to play to seal the 56-48 win.

Centenary shot 33.9% from the field and connected on 11-of-15 chances from the foul line. Cairn shot 38.9% from the field and made 4-of-10 chances from foul line. Cairn had a 42-34 edge in the rebounding battle. Centenary was aided by scoring 22 points on 30 Cairn turnovers.

Elsbree led Centenary with a season-high 18 points, six rebounds and four steals in the contest. Eddahiri contributed a season-high 16 points, four rebounds and four steals while Escano had a game-high 13 rebounds and seven points.

Hitchner led Cairn with 12 points and six rebounds.

Centenary is back in action on Saturday, Nov. 20 when it hosts Middlesex County College at 2 p.m.