LANCASTER BIBLE, Pa. - The Elizabethtown College men's basketball team fell to Lancaster Bible, 98-91, Tuesday evening in non-conference action.

With the loss, the Blue Jays fall to 5-6 while the Chargers improve to 6-5.

Freshman Rance RUsso scored a career-high 31 points to lead all scorers. He is the first Etown men's basketball player to score 30 or more points since teammate Jalin Robinson scored 30 points against Moravian on February 22, 2020. Robinson was second on the team with 19 points and freshman Nick Rappa registered his second career double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Jordan Shewbridge led three different Lancaster Bible scorers with 20 or more points with 27. Adam Stoltzfus recorded a double-double with 20 points and 17 rebounds.

Tied at eight early in the first half, the Blue Jays went on a 9-2 run capped off by two free throws from sophomore Tyreke Herbert, making the score 17-10 with 14:31 remaining in the period. Fifth year senior Ryan Fitzpatrick and Robinson both knocked down three pointers over this stretch.

The score would be tied five more times in the first half all the way to 27-27 after a Chargers' three pointer with 7:48 on the clock. Etown, however, scored six unanswered, fueled by four points from Rappa, for the 33-27 advantage with 5:24 remaining in the first half. 

Lancaster Bible would climb back into the lead over the final five minutes of the opening period to take a 51-48 lead into the locker room.

The Blue Jays once again pushed its lead back to seven in the second half, as Russo banged a three to make the score 68-61 with 15 minutes left in the game,

The Chargers swung the momentum back in their direction over the next eight minutes, using a 22-6 run to move in front 83-73 with just over seven minutes remaining on the clock. 

Lancaster Bible pushed its lead to as many as 13 points and continued to lead by double digits (95-85) with 2:20 left in the half. Etown, however, closed the gap over the next minute with a 6-0 run, capped off by a steal from junior Vinny Gambelunghe and the quick layup, making the score 95-91 with 1:17 left and forcing a Lancaster Bible timeout.

That would be as close as the Blue Jays would get as the Chargers pushed its advantage back to seven to take the 98-91 win.

Etown made 47.6% (30-63) overall and knocked down 9-22 (40.9%) from beyond the arc. Lancaster Bible made 36-78 (46.2%) from the floor and shot 40% (8-20) from three. Lancaster Bible

The Blue Jays dive back into Landmark Conference action on the road at Drew on Saturday, January 8. Opening tip is set for 2 p.m.