HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – A strong first half performance powered Neumann University to a 57-40 win over the Centenary University women's basketball team on Monday night in Atlantic East Conference play. Senior Taylor Bossert paced the Cyclones with 17 points.

Neumann opened up a 5-2 lead on Terea Hunt's lay-up at the 4:20 mark.

A pair of free throws from Madison Stewart at 1:02 extended the Knights' lead to 13-4.

A three-pointer from freshman Kaylie Elsbree in the final 30 seconds made it a 15-7 game after one period of play.

Neumann scored eight of the first 13 points in the second period and took a 23-12 lead with 6:03 left until the half. Stewart scored five of the eight in that stretch.

A pair of free throws from sophomore Camryn Rothery at 2:21 cut the Neumann lead to 27-14.

Neumann took that 13-point advantage into the half.

The two sides traded baskets to start the third period as Bossert's three-pointer made it a 33-21 game with 5:46 to go in the period.

Neumann scored the next seven straight points and pushed its lead to 40-21 with 4:05 showing on the clock.

The Cyclones and Knights traded baskets down the stretch as the visitors took a 46-26 lead through three periods of play.

Centenary opened the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run and cut the Neumann lead to 46-35 with 7:48 to go in the game. Bossert had six of the nine points in that stretch.

Neumann responded with a 9-0 run of its own and pushed its lead to 55-35 with 1:56 to go.

Senior Meghan Barone had five late points for the Cyclones as Neumann secured the 57-40 win.

Centenary shot 28.6% from the field and made 5-of-8 chances from the foul line. Neumann shot 37.5% from the field and went 10-for-19 from the foul line. Neumann held a 43-32 edge in the rebounding battle.

Bossert finished with 17 points while Elsbree had six points and three assists. Junior Carmen Escano led Centenary on the boards with 11.

Stewart led Neumann with 17 points and five rebounds.

Centenary is back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 19 when it hosts Marywood at 6 p.m.