HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – Graduate student Chris LaBelle and senior Billy Veras combined for 47 points but it was not enough to contain a hot shooting Marymount University squad as the Centenary University men's basketball team fell 107-86 in the Atlantic East opener for both squads.

Marymount jumped out to a 10-3 lead on Wyatt Hockenberry's second triple of the game at 18:08.

The Cyclones scored eight of the next 13 points and pulled to within four, 15-11 with 16:49 on the clock. Veras sandwiched a pair of three-pointers around a bucket from LaBelle.

The two teams continued to battle as lay-ups from junior D'Angelo Blackmond and Veras pulled the Cyclones to within five, 22-17 with 12:42 remaining until the half.

A jumper from LaBelle at 10:09 made it a 28-24 game.

Marymount responded with a 13-0 and pushed its advantage to 41-24 with 5:15 showing on the clock.

The Saints maintained that double-digit advantage into the half. Montell Cooper had the final two buckets of the half as Marymount took a 59-34 lead at the break.

Despite their best efforts, the Cyclones didn't have an answer for a hot shooting Marymount squad in the second half. Centenary continued to fight on both ends of the court but Marymount claimed the 107-86 win.

Marymount shot 56.6% from the field and was aided by knocking down 13 three-pointers. Centenary shot 50% from the field but made just seven three-pointers. Both teams pulled down 35 rebounds. Marymount forced the Cyclones into 18 turnovers and scored 26 points off those turnovers.

Veras scored 24 points to lead the Cyclones. He scored 20 or more points for the second straight game and seventh time this season. LaBelle did a little bit of everything as he contributed 23 points, six rebounds and four assists. Blackmond added 12 points and six rebounds.

Cooper paced the Saints with 20 points and four assists while Xavier Reaves had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Cyclones are off until Monday, Jan. 3 when they travel to St. Joseph's College – Long Island for a 7 p.m. game.