ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. - Catholic University men's basketball sophomore Tommy Kelly scored a career-high 23 points as the Cardinals posted a 68-60 victory over Gallaudet in the Battle of D.C.& Maryland.

The Cardinals (3-0) posted their third-straight win to start the season for the first time since 2016-17. They also extended their win streak against the Bison to eight dating back to Feb. 14, 2007.

Kelly was 9-of-18 from the floor with two three-pointers and four steals as he eclipsed his previous career high of 22 points set in a 74-51 win at Moravian on Feb. 14, 2021.

The sophomore class has accounted for all eight of the team's 20-point games over the last two seasons. Sophomore Colby Martins has three, Kelly and sophomore Jesse Hafemeister have two each and sophomore Jake Timby recorded his first in Tuesday's 80-60 win at Messiah.

Kelly, Martins and Timby combined for 54 of the team's 68 points as Martins had 17 and Timby followed up his first 20-point performance with 14. He was 4-of-8 from three-point range and added six assists

Leading by one, 19-18 with 6:30 remaining in the first half, the Cardinals scored 12 of the next 16 points, including five from Martins and three from Timby, to take a 31-22 advantage with 1:45 left.

However, a quick 8-2 run to close the half by Gallaudet, pulled the team within three at halftime, 33-30.

The Bison (0-1) cut their deficit to one on a three-pointer by Rory Lewis with 13:21 to play before an 8-0 run by Catholic pushed its lead back to nine, 53-44 with 8:47 remaining.

Back-to-back three-pointers by Kelly gave the Cardinals their largest lead of the game at 13 points, 62-49 with 3:35 left, before they sealed the win from the free throw line, going 4-of-4 in the final 24 seconds.

Hafemeister finished with six points and six rebounds while freshman Justin Green had six points and seven rebounds, both career highs.

Lewis had 19 points to lead three players in double figures for Gallaudet.

Catholic wraps up competition in the Battle of D.C. & Maryland on Sunday against host St. Mary's (Md.). Tip-off from Michael P. O'Brien ARC Arena is at 2 p.m.