The Centenary Cyclones' promising run in the Atlantic East Conference tournament came to a tough end on Monday evening, as they were defeated 66-82 by the Pacers of Marywood University in the quarterfinals. Despite the defeat, the Cyclones can hold their heads high, having achieved a remarkable turnaround this season.

Leading the charge for the Cyclones was star Sophmore guard Kenneth Rankin, who delivered a stellar performance, scoring a team-high 24 points. Rankin's sharp shooting and aggressive play kept the Cyclones in the game throughout, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Pacers' superior shooting and defensive presence. Junior forward Devin Strickland also contributed significantly, adding 19 points in the losing effort. Strickland's veteran leadership was evident on both ends of the floor, but the team's defensive lapses and struggles with turnovers proved too much to overcome.

The loss to Marywood, while disappointing, doesn't overshadow what has been an impressive season for the Cyclones. They entered the game with a nine-game improvement in their win differential compared to last season, a testament to the team's hard work and dedication. After a challenging year in 2024, the Cyclones were able to turn things around under head coach Chris LaBelle, securing a home playoff game for the first time since 2019-2020 season.

This season has been marked by resilience and determination, as the Cyclones were able to finish the regular season with a solid 11-15 record, securing the fourth seed in the Atlantic East tournament. Their home crowd was on full display during their first-round matchup, and although the outcome wasn't what they had hoped for, the energy and support from the fans were undeniable.

Coach LaBelle spoke about the team's growth, saying, "This group has really shown what it means to fight through adversity. They've taken a huge step forward from last year, and although it's tough to lose in the quarterfinals, I'm incredibly proud of how far we've come. There's a lot of potential in this program, and we'll continue to build on what we've accomplished."

For the Cyclones, the focus now turns to offseason preparation. With a strong core of returning players, including Rankin and Strickland, they will be looking to use the lessons learned from this season's playoff experience to make an even deeper run next year. The future remains bright for the Centenary Cyclones, who have proven they can compete at the highest level.

While Monday's loss stings, it is just one chapter in what has been an incredible season of growth and achievement for Centenary. The Cyclones' impressive nine-game win differential and the experience gained from hosting a playoff game will be invaluable as they continue to build their program for years to come.