ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. – Tyler Simpkiss broke out for a game-high 27 points and Elizabethtown hit 10 3-pointers, including seven in the first half, to move above .500 in Landmark Conference play with an 83-61 victory over Merchant Marine Saturday at Thompson Gymnasium.

Simpkiss and Joe Bodnar came out firing from the tip off, combining for 31 of the Blue Jays' 46 first-half points. Simpkiss made 6-of-7 shots and 4-of-5 from 3-point range for 17 points, while Bodnar provided 13 on 4-of-6 shooting (3-of-5 3FG).

With the senior duo leading the way early on, Elizabethtown (3-5, 2-1 Landmark) opened a 20-8 lead by the 13:54 mark. The Blue Jays would maintain a healthy advantage for the remainder of the half and lead 46-33 at the break.

The Blue Jays would never trail against the Mariners (2-7, 0-3 Landmark) in the first meeting between the two teams.

Five players scored five or more points in the second half, as Elizabethtown outscored USMMA 37-28. Simpkiss and Wenger were the top second-half scorers with nine apiece, while Lee Eckert and Bodnar had six each. Matt Lapkowicz came off the bench to score five.

Simpkiss (27), Bodnar (19), Eckert (14) and Wenger (12) all finished in double figures. E-town converted 20 Mariner turnovers into 23 points, and even with their outside shooting on the mark, managed to outscore the visitors 30-24 in the paint.

Elizabethtown, which has won two straight in conference play, wraps up the pre-holiday portion of its schedule with a non-conference game against Shenandoah Monday at 7 p.m., in Thompson Gymnasium.