HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – The Centenary University men's basketball team battled back from a 13-point second half deficit to tie the game at 57-57 but Gwynedd Mercy University scored the final five points of the game to secure a 62-57 win in Atlantic East play on Monday evening.

The Cyclones built themselves an early 6-2 lead in this one as Chris LaBelle scored five of the first six points for the home team.

The two sides traded points as a triple from Harrison Lucibello put the Cyclones on top, 12-9 at the 11:40 mark.

Gwynedd Mercy responded with an 8-0 run and grabbed a 17-12 lead with 8:52 to go in the period.

The Cyclones and Griffins battled back-and-forth as the visitors took a 21-16 lead with 6:26 showing on the clock.

Five straight points quickly allowed Centenary to tie the game at 21-21 with 4:12 left until the half.

The two teams traded points down the stretch as Gwynedd Mercy grabbed a 30-25 lead at the break.

Gwynedd Mercy opened the second half on a 9-1 run and pushed its lead to 39-26 with 14:05 to go play in the game. That was the Griffins' largest lead of the contest.

Centenary scored 12 of the next 14 points in the game and cut the Griffins' advantage to 41-38 at the 10:36 mark. Trevor Giordano had five points in that stretch.

The two teams continued to battle as back-to-back triples from LaBelle and Tyler White and a free throw from Tyler Clark tied the game at 48-48.

Gwynedd Mercy went back on top, 50-48 before a big three-pointer from White gave Centenary a 51-50 edge with 5:28 to play.

The Griffins scored seven of the next nine points and took a 57-53 lead with 2:28 to go in the game.

A pair of free throws from White and a big lay-up from Isaac Poueriet tied the game at 57-57 with 58 seconds to go.

Ty Jones knocked down a three-pointer with 33 seconds left to put Gwynedd Mercy back on top, 60-57.

The Griffins got a pair of late free throws to close out the 62-57 win.

Centenary shot 30.9% from the floor and was 14-for-21 from the foul line. Gwynedd Mercy shot 31.4% from the field and was 10-for-12 from the charity stripe. The Griffins held a 56-35 advantage in the rebounding battle.

LaBelle led the Cyclones with 15 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals. Poueriet added 14 points, six rebounds and four steals while Lucibello contributed 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Jones led Gwynedd Mercy with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Centenary is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 12 when it travels to Marywood for a 3 p.m. game.