SCRANTON, Pa. - For the third-straight game, Catholic University men's basketball freshman Colby Martins posted a career-high, scoring 23 points as the Cardinals picked up an 83-72 victory over Scranton Friday at John Long Center.

Catholic (4-1, 4-1 LC) secured its first four-game win streak since Dec. 30, 2017 and snapped a four-game losing streak against the Royals. The win was the Cardinals' first road triumph in the series since Feb. 10, 2018 when they won 81-79.

During his three-game road trip, Martins scored 21 at Moravian, 22 at Juniata and 23 at Scranton.

Martins scored 12 of his game-high 23 in the first half as was joined by freshmen Jesse Hafemeister and Tommy Kelly who also had 12 points apiece as the trio combined for 36 of the team's 54 points.

Catholic shot 58.3 percent from the floor in the opening half, going 21-of-36 from the floor, including 7-of-9 from three-point range. The team's 54 points were the most in a half since Jan. 30, 2016 when it scored 54 in the second half of a 96-59 victory over Moravian on Franny Murray Court.

Scranton (3-2, 3-2 LC) jumped out to an 11-5 lead in the game's first three minutes before a quick 6-0 spurt by the Cardinals tied the game at 16-16 with 13:36 remaining in the first half.

Kelly and Martins combined for eight-straight points to give Catholic a 29-21 advantage with 10 minutes to play before the visitors scored eight consecutive points, including the final five from Martins to end the half and take a 13-point lead, 54-41.

The Cardinals, who trailed for only 5:21 in the contest, led by as many as 18 points in the second half and never let it lead slip below nine.

Martins scored 11 of the team's 29 second-half points while freshman Jake Melady added six.

Hafemeister finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocks while Kelly had 14 points and seven rebounds.

On Sunday, Catholic will look for its first five-game win streak since Dec. 5, 2016 when it hosts the Royals on Franny Murray Court beginning at 4 p.m.