ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa.-- With just three lead changes and three ties throughout the game, the Elizabethtown men's basketball team earned their first Landmark Conference win of the season as they defeated Juniata, 60-55. 

Rance Russo led the game from the bench as he totaled 12 points and five rebounds. Austin Finarelli added nine points, two steals, and four rebounds. Ben Stanton totaled eight points while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out five assists. 

The game was tight to start the first half, following a Russo 3-pointer, Elizabethtown led Juniata, 11-10. The Eagles then went on a 16-0 run to take a 26-11 lead about midway through the half. After a Dylan Rowe layup, Juniata sunk a three before Stanton added one of his own. Finarelli and MJ Branker each added a layup to cut Juniata's lead as they came within nine. In the final five minutes of the half, the two teams traded points as Juniata was able to hold onto to their lead at 37-33 going into halftime. 

EJ Finney started off the scoring in the second half as he made a layup, 15 seconds into play. In the first five minutes, the Eagles continued to hold the lead after a layup. The two continued to trade points as Niko Georgelis made a layup to tie up the game, 44-44. Points from Stanton and Georgelis gave Etown their largest lead of the second half. Elizabethtown led, 53-47 with just over five minutes remaining. Russo added a jumper to extend their lead to eight points. Through the end of the half, both teams traded free throws with Etown earning the 60-55 victory. In the second half, Elizabethtown went 8-11 (.727) in free throws. 

Elizabethtown takes a break for the holiday and will travel to Shenandoah on December 30 at 3:30 pm for a non-conference game.