Cyclones Fall, Ally Reaches Milestone vs. Cedar Crest
- Hannah Ally became the fourth Cyclones' woman to reach the 1,000 point plateau
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (February 1, 2012) – Senior Hannah Ally (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) notched her 1,000th career point 22 seconds into the game, however Ally’s milestone would be the only positive outcome of Centenary’s game vs. Cedar Crest College as the Cyclones would fall 79-75 to the Falcons in a Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) tilt.
Ally becomes only the sixth women’s basketball player in Cyclones’ history to reach the thousand point milestone. Ally joins teammate Jen Vasta (Boonton, N.J./Boonton) who became the all time scoring leader in Cyclones’ history Monday, in the 1,000 point club, along with Stephanie Roberts, Kristen Camuso, Mona Ressaissi and Sue Sodtalbers as the only other Cyclones to reach the historic achievement.
The game was a back and forth affair with 14 ties and 10 lead changes, but it was the Falcons who would eventually prevail as Lizzy Sunderhaus proved too much for the Cyclones to handle. Sunderhaus began by dominating the first half, registering 17 points and 11 rebounds in the opening frame. Freshman Andrea Innis (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) did her part in going toe-to-toe in matching production by scoring 13 points of her own in the first half. Senior Bridget McCann (Keyport, N.J./Keyport) contributed with six points, five rebounds and two blocks in the first half to help send the Cyclones into the half tied at 30.
The second half proved to be a scoring frenzy as both teams would score at will. Sunderhaus continued her dominance, even stepping outside the paint to hit two three-pointers en route to 19 second half points. Again however, Centenary would have one of their own players respond as junior Danielle Trucksess (Collingswood, N.J./Collingswood) drained 21 of her 25 points in the second half including going 4-7 from three point range in the final half.
In the end, the Cyclones fought back down the stretch as Trucksess hit on one of her three point baskets with 4:35 remaining with Cedar Crest leading by eight, cutting the deficit to five. Centenary narrowed the lead to just one a little over a minute later before the Falcons rebuilt their lead to five with under :30 seconds to go. Trucksess would strike again for three, cutting the lead to just a deuce but Cedar Crest would convert their free throws eventually walking away with a four point victory.
With the loss, Centenary falls to 14-7 overall and 7-5 in the CSAC. The Cyclones next head to Clarks Summit, Pa. to take on Baptist Bible College on Saturday, Feb. 4th at 1 pm. The Defenders stand directly ahead of Centenary in the CSAC North standings. The Cyclones knocked off Baptist Bible at home, 67-54 in the first meeting of the season.
Cyclones to Participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Day
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (January 31, 2012) – The Cyclones will host Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Wednesday, February 1st as both the men’s and women’s basketball teams will be in action against Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) opponents.
The men’s team, led by Head Coach Enrico Mastroianni, and the women’s team, with Head Coach Justin Phoenix will lead their squads onto the court wearing pink socks to raise awareness of the tragic disease. Fans planning on attending the games can join in support of the Cyclones efforts to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Day by wearing pink articles of clothing to the game. Fans can also make a donation at the door and receive a pink ribbon for their generosity.
According to the American Cancer Society, with the exception of skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some point in a woman’s life is less than 1 in 8 (12%). The ACS reports the chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman's death is about 1 in 36 (about 3%), however a promising trend recently shows death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990. These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment.
The Centenary College Athletic Department is once again pleased to support the cause of Breast Cancer Awareness and looks forward to a great showing of support from families and friends as well. The women’s game will tip off at 7 pm vs. Cedar Crest College, with the men’s game slated to start at 8 pm vs. Gwynedd-Mercy College.
The Cyclones will also be honoring the Fall CSAC Academic Teams during halftime of each game, with the men being honored during the women’s game and the women’s recognition during the men’s game.
Click Here to learn more about breast cancer.
Vasta Named Cyclone of the Week
- Vasta Named Cyclone of the Week!
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (January 31, 2012) - Senior Jen Vasta (Boonton, N.J./Boonton) of the women's basketball team has been named Cyclone of the Week for her efforts in the week ending on Jan. 29, 2012.
Vasta finished averaging 17 points and five rebounds in the Cyclones 2-0 week against Neumann and Cabrini, including a 9-12 performance for 18 points against the Cavaliers on Saturday. During the week, she also contributed with a total nine assists and seven steals for Centenary while shooting 68% from the floor.
Vasta and the women's basketball team return to action on Wednesday when they host Cedar Crest College in their annual Breast Cancer Awareness game at 6:00pm.
History Made In Cyclones Win Over Mount Saint Vincent
- Jen Vasta Became Centenary's All-Time Leading Scorer!
RIVERDALE, N.Y. (January 30, 2012) – Seniors Jen Vasta (Boonton, N.J./Boonton) and Hannah Ally (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) broke Centenary College women’s basketball history tonight as they became the Cyclones’ All-Time Leading scorer and free throw scorer respectively in a 79-61 win over the Dolphins.
Down 4-2 early on, the Cyclones sparked their offense as they went on a 9-0 run to take 11-4 lead over the Dolphins. Following two costly Centenary fouls, the Dolphins were able to bounce back with a bucket, but Danielle Trucksess (Collingswood, N.J./Collingswood) was able to knock down two free throws to put Cyclones back up 13-6.
The Cyclones jumped back on the offensive as they took an 11-2 run to extend their lead back out to 24-8. Amidst the run, Ally knocked home her two consecutive free throws to make her Centenary College’s All-Time leader in made free throws, surpassing former Cyclone Kristen Camuso’s record of 249.
Before long, the Dolphins responded with a 14-4 run of their own to bring it to 28-22, but senior Colleen Collins (Colmar, Pa./Lansdale Catholic) was able to drain a shot from downtown to put the Cyclones back in it.
On the next Centenary drive, Collins was able to come back and drop down three more points on a costly Dolphin foul outside the perimeter to put the Cyclones up 36-22 with just under two minutes left in the half.
With the clock winding down, Collins bounced around the perimeter once again and dropped down another three-pointer to give the Cyclones a 43-24 lead entering the locker rooms at the half. The Cyclones were able to capitalize on 17 Dolphin turnovers in the first half to score 13 points, 10 of which came off a fast break.
Mount Saint Vincent came out of the locker room attacking the rim as they took a 6-0 run to open up the half to bring the score to 43-30, but Trucksess was able to respond with a strong move on the baseline for a quick Cyclones layup.
Up 61-46 with just over eight minutes left in the game, Vasta knocked home a three-pointer from the right wing to put Centenary up 64-46. With those points, Vasta became the all-time leading scorer in Centenary College women’s basketball history, breaking former Cyclone Stephanie Roberts record of 1,479 points.
Despite another layup by Vasta, the Dolphins responded with seven unanswered points of their own to bring the score 64-53. Fortunately, the Cyclones came right back with an answer of their own as Ally and Collins teamed up for a quick layup and a three-pointer to put the Cyclones back up 71-53 with just under five minutes left in the game.
Despite a back and forth exchange of baskets, the Cyclones were able to hold on and take a 79-61 victory, improving their record to 14-6 on the season. Collins finished the game shooting 4-6 from downtown for a game-high 15 points while also contributing with three rebounds, two assists, and a steal in the Cyclones victory.
Ally finished the game with nine points for the Cyclones, leaving her only one point shy of the 1,000 point career milestone. The senior guard will look to break her career milestone at home on Wednesday when the Cyclones host Cedar Crest at 6:00pm as part of their annual Breast Cancer Awareness game.