HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – A furious second half comeback fell just short as the Centenary University men's basketball team dropped a 107-106 nail biter to Montclair State University on Saturday afternoon.

"Heart plays a big part in being successful at the college level," said head coach Jason Geleski. "We have a lot of heart and there's no quit in our kids. We have tremendous leadership in our program and less a bounce here or there, it was a ball game throughout. I'm very proud of these young men."
 
Montclair State (3-1) had the hot hand early as the visitors' first three buckets came from behind the arc.

Another triple, this time from Greg Eck at 14:40 gave Montclair State a 16-7 advantage.

Four straight three-pointers from the Red Hawks gave Montclair State a 28-9 lead with 12:49 to go until the half.

Centenary responded with an 11-0 run and pulled to within eight, 28-20 with 9:41 showing on the clock. Senior Harrison Lucibello had five points during that stretch while graduate student Chris LaBelle added four.

A pair of free throws from junior D'Angelo Blackmond and a jumper from Lucibello made it a 35-28 game with 6:11 left in the period.

The two teams battled on each end of the court as a jumper from Blackmond at 3:40 cut the Montclair State lead to four, 41-37.

Montclair State closed the first half on an 8-4 run and took a 54-45 lead at the break.

The Red Hawks scored 11 of the first 13 points in the second half and increased their advantage to 65-47 with 18:12 to go in the game.

The Cyclones and Red Hawks battled tooth and nail for every chance. A traditional three-point play from LaBelle and a triple from Lucibello pulled the Cyclones to within six, 70-64 with 13:46 showing on the clock.

Montclair Stare pushed its lead back to 11 but Centenary wasn't done battling. The Cyclones used a 6-2 run and pulled to within 11, 85-74 with 8:11 to go in the game.

The two teams continued to go back-and-forth as a pair of free throws from senior Tyler White at 4:04 made it a 97-88 game.

A pair of free throws from Keyon Pryce at 2:55 put the visitors on top, 103-88.

LaBelle drained a three-pointer at 2:39 that kick started a 12-0 run that pulled the Cyclones to within three, 103-100 with just 56 seconds on the clock. LaBelle had eight points during that stretch.

Montclair State was a perfect 4-for-4 from the foul line in the final minute to hold off the Cyclones for a 107-106 victory.

Centenary shot 49.3% from the field and went 32-for-40 from the foul line. Montclair State shot 42% from the field and was aided by 18 made three-pointers. The Red Hawks held a 47-42 edge in the rebounding battle.

LaBelle exploded for a game-high 39 points, 23 of which came in the second half as the Cyclones attempted their comeback. He added nine rebounds, seven steals and four assists. Blackmond had another double-double as he contributed 22 points and 15 rebounds.

Lucibello added 15 points while White had 13 points. Senior Billy Veras had 13 rebounds and nine points.

Pryce led Montclair State with 28 points while Irving Callender IV added 22 points and 15 rebounds.

Centenary returns to action on Monday, Nov. 22 when it hosts Valley Forge at 7 p.m.