OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Catholic University men's basketball sophomores Tommy Kelly and Jesse Hafemeister combined for 35 points as the Cardinals opened the season with a 57-55 victory over Stevenson Saturday.

The Cardinals (1-0) snapped a four-game losing streak in season openers, picking up their first win since a 76-67 victory over Hamilton in the Pablo Coto Tip-Off Tournament at Marymount (Va.) on Nov. 19, 2016.

In making his first career start, Kelly totaled 19 points, just three points shy of his career high set in a 74-51 win at Moravian on Feb. 14, 2021. The 2021 All-Landmark Conference Second Team selection was 8-of-16 from the floor while adding three assists, two steals and two rebounds.

Meanwhile, the 2021 D3hoops.com Atlantic/Mid-Atlantic Region and Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year, Hafemeister had 16 points and five rebounds.

The Mustangs (0-1) led 17-6 with 11:01 remaining in the first half before the Cardinals used a 16-5 run to tie the game at 22-22 with 6:57 to play following a three-point play by senior Sam Golden.

Hafemeister scored six points during the run while Kelly added five of his 11 first-half points.

Led by five points from Kelly, Catholic opened the second half with a quick 8-0 spurt to take a 36-30 lead with 16:35 left before a layup by Hafemeister gave the Cardinals their largest lead, 40-33.

Sophomore Jake Timby put the Cards in front by three, 56-53 with 2:45 to play, but the Mustangs managed to cut their deficit to one with seven seconds remaining on a jumper by Khalil Richard.

After a missed free throw gave Stevenson a chance to win the game, the Catholic defense did not allow a shot attempt in the final three seconds and the Cardinals escaped with the two-point victory.

Golden just missed his first career double double with seven points and nine rebounds, both career highs. Timby also finished with seven points.

Catholic faces its second-straight opponent the MAC Commonwealth Conference on Tuesday, Nov. 9 when it travels t Messiah for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off with the Falcons.