Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senior Jackson Danzig (Clarks Green, Pa./Abington Heights) once again led The University of Scranton men's basketball team's attack with 19 points, but it wasn't enough, as Catholic took control in the second half, then held off a late comeback bid to win, 75-73, over the Royals in Landmark Conference action on Saturday.

With the defeat, Scranton dropped to 3-4 overall and 0-1 in the Landmark, while Catholic improved to 7-1 and 1-0 in the Landmark with the victory.

To start, Scranton and Catholic stayed within striking distance of each other the entire first half, with the largest lead of the opening 20 minutes by either team being just six points (22-16 for Scranton with 6:20 left).

But, to end the half, the Royals went into intermission with some momentum, as freshman Mason Thompson (Prairie Village, Kan./Rockhurst) nailed a three-pointer with three seconds left in the period to give Scranton a 34-32 lead going into the break for halftime.

The second half had a similar feel to the first to start, with both teams staying close to one another. However, the game came to a head with 10 minutes to go and Scranton leading by just one at 50-49. Here, Catholic went on a big 7-0 run to take their biggest lead of the afternoon at 56-50 with 7:46 to go in regulation.

Unfortunately for the Royals, once Catholic grabbed the lead back, they never gave it up the rest of the way, eventually extending it out to 61-53 with five minutes remaining.

Down the stretch, Catholic made key shots and free throws to go up nine with 12 seconds left (73-64). As it turned out, the Cardinals needed the points, as in the final 10 seconds, Scranton scored nine on three made free throws and back-to-back made three-pointers. But, it was too little, too late for the Royals, as Catholic held on down the stretch to take the Landmark Conference opener win by two points.

Overall, Danzig led the Royals, doing most of his damage in the first half scoring 16 of his 19 points in the first 20 minutes of play. Danzig also had four rebounds and four assists in the defeat.

Elsewhere, junior Ryan Ems (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) finished with 12 points and five rebounds, while fellow junior Stephen Braunstein (Colts Neck, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) ended with 11 points to round out the double-digit scorers for Scranton in the defeat.

Catholic was led in the victory by Jesse Hafemeister, who finished with a game-high 21 points.

The University of Scranton men's basketball team returns to action on Wednesday, as they take on Franklin & Marshall in non-conference action in the John Long Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

--ROYALS--