ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. - Trailing by three, the Catholic University men's basketball team had two chances to tie the game in the final eight seconds, but both attempts were off the mark as Elizabethtown escaped with a 53-50 victory Wednesday at Thompson Gymnasium.

The Cardinals (5-11, 1-4 LC) fell for the first time in six road games against the Blue Jays since they joined the Landmark Conference prior to the 2014-15 season.

Senior Riley Hayes led Catholic with 12 points to surpass 900 for his career as he looks to become the 45th player in program history to reach 1,000. He also adde nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals.

Hayes was the lone Cardinal to score in double figures as the team was just 21-of-61 from the floor and 5-of-22 from three-point range. Catholic was also limited to just six attempts from the free throw line, making three, while Elizabethtown was 13-for-20, including 9-of-12 in the second half.

Two of the Blue Jays' three second-half misses from the free throw line came on back-to-back with only five seconds remaining, giving the Cardinals a second shot at sending the game into overtime.

However, after timeouts by both teams, Catholic's attempt to capture a second overtime victory in three tries this season was denied, snapped Elizabethtown's five-game home losing streak against the Cardinals.

Hayes totaled six points, four rebounds and two assists in the second half as Catholic rallied from a seven-point deficit to tie the game at 43-43 with 8:21 to play on a three-pointer by freshman Jack Kouba.

The Cards trailed 46-45 with 5:21 left on a layup by senior Thomas Huerter, but Connor Moffatt scored the last seven points for the Blue Jays, including the final four from the free throw line with under two minutes remaining to keep Elizabethtown in the lead.

Moffatt totaled 17 points and 11 rebounds, both game highs. He added nine second-half points, six of which came from the free throw line where he was 6-of-7.

Catholic led 23-18 with 4:25 to play in the opening half on a three-pointer by sophomore Zach Spooner, but a 6-0 run by the Blue Jays (9-6, 2-3 LC) gave them a lead they would not relinquish.

Spooner scored all seven of his points in the opening 20 minutes while Huerter finished with six points, six rebounds and three steals. All 10 Cardinals who saw action scored and grabbed at least one rebound.

The Cardinals travel to Selinsgrove, Pa., on Saturday to face first-place Susquehanna who is 5-0 in league play this season. Tipoff is at 2 p.m.