ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa.-- The Elizabethtown men's basketball team faced No. 15 Catholic in a close Landmark Conference match-up but fell short, 66-75. 

With just his first bucket of the game, Rance Russo recorded his 1000th career-point to become the 36th Elizabethtown men's basketball player in program history to do so. 

Austin Finarelli led the game with 18 points going 7-10 in field goals while Russo added 14 points and six rebounds. EJ Finney and Alon Gorham both tallied ten points each. 

Finarelli started off the first half sinking a three just seconds into the game. Etown and Catholic went back and forth as Gorham put up a shot at the 14 minute mark. The Blue Jays trailed by just one after Niko Georgelis sunk a three just a few minutes later. Points from Georgelis and a three from Gorham brought the score to 20-19 as Etown continued to trail midway through the half. A minute later, Russo made a layup, tying up the game at 23-23. Catholic began to pull away with five minutes remaining after making five consecutive buckets. Finarelli dropped in a three with just under three minutes remaining. Finarelli finished and started off the half with a three as Etown trailed, 41-36 at halftime. 

The Blue Jays gained momentum at the started of the second half to come back within one against the Cardinals after jumpers from Russo and Finarelli. Three more layups from the Blue Jays kept it tight at the 13 minute mark. Catholic managed to pull away by seven points before a jumper from Finarelli and a three from Ben Stanton brought Etown back within two. Catholic would then go on a run to grab their largest lead of the game to bring the score to 66-55. Russo added a jumper and three to cut the Cardinals lead in half. Through the end of the half the two teams traded free throws as Catholic ultimately won, 75-66. 

Elizabethtown remains at home this Saturday, February 3rd at 2pm as the Blue Jays face Moravian.