WASHINGTON, D.C.-- The Elizabethtown men's basketball team opened up Landmark Conference play Wednesday evening at Catholic. The Blue Jays fell 98-54 to the Cardinals who are receiving votes in the latest D3hoops.com Top-25 Poll. 

Catholic got off to a hot start in the first half coming out with a 15-4 lead in the first six minutes. Points from Ben Stanton, Tyreke Herbert, and Dylan Rowe brought brought the score to 19-12 about midway through the half. Austin Finarelli sunk a 3-pointer minutes later to cut Catholics lead to just four points. The Cardinals then went on a 7-0 to extend their lead by 11 as they led, 29-18. With six minutes remaining in the half, Finarelli added another three and from there Catholic extended their lead by 15 points. Free throws by Rowe and Finarelii along with a three from Niko Georgelis brought the score to 45-30 with the Cardinals on top. With just one second remaining on the clock, the Cardinals sunk two more points to lead, 49-30 at halftime. 

Starting off the second half, Catholic held on to their momentum as they brought their lead out by 20 points. Alon Gorham added Etown's first 3-pointer of the half before Stanton added in a jumper. For two minutes the game was scoreless until the Cardinals sunk two straight three's as they led, 77-39. The Cardinals continued on their run adding two free throws and a layup before EJ Finney made four free throws of his own. With the Cardinals leading, 85-47, Finney and Herbert each added a layup. Catholic continued to pull away to the end of the half as they won, 98-54. 

Elizabethtown travels to Lycoming this Saturday, December 2nd at 2PM for a Landmark Conference doubleheader.