RADNOR, Pa.—The Elizabethtown men's basketball team opened the 2023-24 season in a dominating fashion as they defeated Cabrini, 87-66 on the road, Wednesday evening. Rance Russo had a team-high 31 points while Austin Finarelli and Reese Ziegler added 14 points.

Cabrini started off the first half with an early, 7-4 lead following a three to break the 4-4 tie. The Cavaliers held a steady lead after putting up a layup and a jumper. MJ Branker sunk a layup and a free-throw to come within four of Cabrini. Midway through the half, Reese Ziegler dropped in a three to bring the score, 20-15 with Cabrini in the lead. With seven minutes remaining in the half, the Blue Jays had put in some work to tie up the game, 23-23. From there Etown continued to hold their lead as Russo used a layup to lead, 29-27. Finarelli and Dylan Rowe each added a layup before going into the half with a 37-30 lead.

Elizabethtown got right to work in the second half as they put up the first eight points to jump to a 43-30 lead. Niko Georgelis and Russo contributed baskets on the run. The Blue Jays held onto their ten-point lead with two hook shots made by Rowe. Five minutes into the half, Ben Stanton added two, keeping Etown with the ten-point lead. Cabrini would go on a 7-0 run to come within three points of Etown. The Blue Jays recovered and about four minutes later, Etown was ahead by ten again after a basket by Russo. Two straight Blue Jay layups brought them out to a 20-point lead at 70-51. With five minutes remaining in the half, the Cavaliers gained some momentum as they put up eight straight points. Russo and Finarelli each tallied a layup to bring the score to 81-59. Russo and Stanton ended the half making two free-throws a piece to give Etown the 87-66 win.

The Blue Jays will open at home this Saturday, November 11^th at 2PM as they host Stevenson.