Catholic Picks Up Big Men's Hoops Road Win

SELINSGROVE, Pa. - Jason Banzhaf scored 23 points as the Catholic University men's basketball team (14-5, 6-2 LC) nearly silenced Susquehanna (11-8, 4-4 LC) in Landmark Conference action Friday evening, 73-59.

Joining Banzhaf in double figures were Shawn Holmes with 16 points and R.J. Dixon with 12 as the Cardinals shot 49% from the field for the contest.

After his final 14 minute performance at the DuFour Center earlier this month, Spenser Spencer fell relatively silent in the contest, dropping 15 points, but needing nearly 20 shots to do so, including 10 attempts from beyond the arc.

Spencer put the hosts on top early with a layup less than a minute into the game, but that was the only lead that Susquehanna would see for the evening. R.J. Dixon answered with two foul shots after being fouled by Spencer and the Cardinals tied and then took the lead.

The hosts cut the lead to one on several occasions but with 9:57 remaining in the first half, Dixon hit a triple off a feed from Cody Otto which sparked a 13-4 run that gave CUA a 10-point advantage with 6:52 remaining. The hosts cut into that lead, but at the break the Cards led the Crusaders 36-31.

In the second half it was all about ball control and clock management as CUA took only 19 shots, converting 12 of them. The Cardinals also converted 12-of-15 from the line in the second half. CUA never allowed Susquehanna to climb any closer than six and took home a 14-point, 73-59 win on the road.

CUA out rebounded the hosts 42-34 including 30 defensive rebounds. Chris Kearney also led the defensive effort with four of the Cardinal's five blocked shots.

CUA will return to action tomorrow afternoon as the Cardinals will travel to Juniata for the second half of this weekend's Landmark Conference action. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.

Story provided by Catholic Sports Information