WINCHESTER, Va.-- The Elizabethtown men's basketball team closed out 2023 with a trip down south to Shenandoah University. The Blue Jays trailed by just two at halftime before ultimately falling, 74-64. 

Rance Russo led Etown with 21 points and 12 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. EJ Finney added 12 points, six rebounds along with three steals. MJ Branker totaled eight points and six rebounds. 

Shenandoah opened up the game with an 8-2 lead, four minutes the half. Seconds later, Russo dropped in a three to bring the Blue Jays to five points. Etown continued to keep it tight with the Hornets as Finney made a layup midway through the half to tie up the game, 18-18. Including Finney's layup, the Blue Jays went on a 9-0 run to take a 25-20 lead. Through the final five minutes neither team could lead by more than four. With 30 seconds remaining, Ben Stanton made the final basket as Etown went into the locker room down, 34-36. 

Elizabethtown was slow to start the second half as they were unable to make a basket within the first six minutes. Shenanodah started the half on a 15-0 run to jump out to a 52-34 lead. Tyreke Herbert broke the Blue Jays silence with a good layup at the 14:25 minute mark. Points from Niko Georgelis and Finney cut Shenandoah's lead to just eight points. The Hornets then made six straight to once again lead by 12. Shenandoah continued to hold strong carrying a 10+ point lead through the final minutes. Russo made two layups and a three in the final two minutes bringing the score to 62-73. Shenandoah would end the game with a free throw to win, 74-64. 

The Blue Jays return home in the new year and back in Landmark Conference play as they host Scranton in a doubleheader on January 3 at 5:00 pm.