SCRANTON, Pa. – No. 15 Catholic shot 65.0% from the floor and The University of Scranton men's basketball team (4-17, 2-12 Landmark) dropped a 97-56 decision to the Cardinals (19-2, 13-1 Landmark) on Saturday afternoon at the John Long Center in Scranton.

Catholic held an 11-5 lead just over four minutes into the game when senior Tahaj Parland (Neptune, N.J./Mater Dei) sank a jumper to ignite a quick 7-0 run for the Royals and sophomore Jon Spatola (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro) buried a three for a 12-11 edge at the 14:21 mark. The Cardinals were able to regain the lead with a 17-7 run that made it a 28-19 game before consecutive baskets by freshman Nick Ruisi (Greenlawn, N.Y./Harborfields/Cheshire Academy) and junior Cameron Khoza (State College, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) brought Scranton back within five at 28-23. However, Catholic was able to close the half on a 20-5 run over the final seven plus minutes and took a 48-28 lead into the locker room.

Four points from Spatola and a three by Khoza cut the deficit to 54-35 with 16:22 remaining, but the Cardinals were able to extend the lead once again over the final 16 plus minutes of the contest. Khoza and Spatola registered nine points apiece in the second half for the Royals.

Spatola led the hosts with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting and Khoza added 13 points of his own, while Parland tallied nine points and four assists. Junior Colin Merriman (Mount Laurel, N.J./Camden Catholic) was a perfect 3-of-3 from the floor and had seven points and three rebounds.

Jesse Hafemeister paced the Cardinals with a game-high 25 points and Enzo Sechi posted 16 points and 10 rebounds.

The Royals shot 39.3% (22-of-56) from the field and 22.2% (6-of-27) from beyond the arc on the day and Catholic was 39-of-60 (65.0%) from the floor and 9-of-22 (40.9%) from deep.

Scranton will hit the road to battle Moravian on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in Bethlehem.

--ROYALS--