WASHINGTON, D.C. - In just the second game of his career, Catholic University men's basketball freshman Jesse Hafemeister scored 30 points, including 20 in the first half, to lead the Cardinals to a 58-56 victory over Moravian Friday in their home opener.

Catholic (1-1, 1-1 LC) has won three of its last five dating back to last season.

Hafemeister is the first freshman to score at least 30 points for Catholic since Feb. 19, 2014 when Louis Khouri totaled 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists in a 78-71 overtime loss at Goucher. Khouri was 10-of-17 from the floor, including 5-of-9 from three-point range.

Hafemeister the first Cardinal freshman to score at least 30 points in a regulation game since Feb. 23, 2008 when Jason Banzhaf had 32 points and 18 rebounds in a 76-68 road win at Goucher. Banzhaf finished 14-of-19 from the floor.

On Friday, Hafemeister shot 14-of-18 from the floor and 2-of-3 from three-point range while adding eight rebounds.

The first half featured three ties and two lead changes, but the Cardinals trailed for most despite Hafemeister scoring 20 of Catholic's 29 first-half points, going 9-for-12 from the floor.

With the Cardinals trailing by six to start the second half, 35-29, Hafemeister scored four of their first seven points, the last of which came on a jumper with 16:52 remaining to give Catholic its first lead since the 14:31 mark of the first half.

Freshman Jake Timby gave the Cardinals their largest lead of the game, 42-38, on a three-pointer with 10:55 left, but timely three-pointers by Keith Otto and James Thompson put the Greyhounds (0-4, 0-4 LC) back in front with under eight to play.

After Hafemeister gave Catholic a 53-52 lead with 4:19 remaining, Moravian answered with another three-pointer to mark the game's sixth lead change.

However, a jumper in the paint by freshman Declan O'Sullivan tied the game for the sixth time at 55-55 before a three-pointer by sophomore Pat Buckley gave the Cardinals the lead for good with 2:35 to play.

O'Sullivan finished with seven points and nine rebounds while Buckley had seven points and five rebounds.

"Jesse played exceptionally well tonight," said head coach Aaron Kelly. "Two guys who didn't do a lot of scoring tonight, but I felt like won us this game were Jack Fitzpatrick and Pat Buckley. They did not turn the ball over. They guarded like crazy. Between Jesse's offense and Pat and Jack's defense, I think those three guys were the main reason we won this game."

Fitzpatrick totaled three assists and two rebounds.

Catholic looks to complete the season sweep on Sunday when it heads to Bethlehem, Pa. to face the Greyhounds at 4 p.m. inside Johnston Hall.