HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. -- Penn College suffered a 76-53 defeat to Centenary in the final nonconference women's basketball game of the season on Tuesday afternoon. The Wildcats fell to 9-4 overall, while the Cyclones improved to 6-4.

How it happened: Centenary set the tone from the jump and never let go of the lead by using an 18-9 charge after the first quarter to gain distance. 

In the second quarter, Gigi Parlante, Emily Woolson and Breana Valentine converted layups to get the Wildcats within five 20-15, with 6:28 to go, but a pair of Cyclone 3s and a putback widened the lead back to nine.

PCT tried to reel back the Cyclones in the final minutes with three 3-point deficits when RaeAnna Andreas and Valentine both hit two free throw attempts to make the score, 28-25 and 30-27, and a Gigi Parlante layup with 68 seconds left in the opening half made the score, 32-29. 

Centenary hit a three at the break and held a 41-24 advantage through the second half for the win.

Inside the box: Parlante led the attack with 17 points and six boards while Valentine also finished in double-figures (13 points), while chipping in with six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Woolson and Mia Patterson both finished with six points.

Up next: Penn College looks to snap its three-game skid as it returns to United East action at Notre Dame (MD) on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 3 p.m.