ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. - The Elizabethtown College men's basketball team overcame a 13-point first half deficit to take the lead late in the second half but could not complete the comeback, falling to Juniata, 62-59, Wednesday night in Landmark Conference action.

With the loss, the Blue Jays fall to 8-13 overall and 3-8 in league play, while the Eagles improve to 13-9 on the season and 6-5 in the Landmark.

Senior Jalin Robinson finished with a game-high 18 points and freshman Rance Russo added 15 points. Junior Dylan Rowe registered 11 point and eight rebounds, sophomore Tyreke Herbert dished out nine assists, and sophomore Jared Archer came off the bench to make 3-3 from three for nine points. 

Sophomore Chase Husted recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Gabe Guidinger finished with a team-high 15 points off the bench.

Elizabethtown started the game hot, running out to a 9-2 lead just over 1:30 into the game, capped off by a steal and fast break layup from Herbert. Juniata closed the gap and took a one point lead (13-11) after a three-pointer from Guidinger with 12:30 on the clock before Russo turned around and tied the score with a jumper of his own with just over 12 minutes to play in the first half. Etown, however, went cold over the final eight minutes of the period, as the Eagles closed the first half on a 16-5 run to take a 37-28 advantage into the locker room.

After pushing its lead to 52-40 with 9:17 remaining in the game, the Blue Jays began to chip away at the Juniata advantage. Using a 12-4 run, Etown closed within two (54-52) as Herbert found Archer for three with 6:33 on the clock. The Eagles pushed it leads to four at 56-52 moments later but Robinson responded with five straight points, highlighted by a deep three with 4:16 remaining in the game to take the 57-56 lead. The Eagles, however, took the lead back, going ahead 62-59 with 10 seconds remaining. Etown had one final possession to tie the game but were unable to get a shot off as Juniata held on for the victory.

The Blue Jays shot 21-50 (42%) from the floor and were 50% (9-18) from three. The Eagles made 39.6% (21-53) overall and knocked down 3-16 (18.8%) from beyond the arc. Juniata found its advantage in the paint, outscoring Etown 30-22.

Elizabethtown returns to Thompson for its final home game of the year and senior day on Saturday, February 12 against Scranton. Opening tip is set for 2 p.m.