WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic University men's basketball team edged St. Mary's (Md.) on Saturday afternoon to begin the DC/MD Challenge at Gallaudet on a winning note and remain unbeaten on the young season.

No. 17 Catholic grabbed control of the contest late in the first half, finishing the opening stanza on a 19-10 run to take an 11-point advantage to the locker room. Catholic pushed the lead to 20 midway through the second half but St. Mary's ended the game on a big run to ensure the game came down to the final possession.

After a Jake Timby three with 12 minutes remaining in the contest saw the Cardinals go up 51-31, St. Mary's went on a 28-10 run in just seven-and-a-half minutes to take its first lead at 59-58 with 4:44 remaining. The teams then exchanged punches, with neither leading by more than three down the stretch.

Catholic's defense ultimately got them over the line as Aaron Kelly's team only allowed two points in the final 2:41 of the contest. 

After a pair of Gary Grant free throws gave the Seahawks a two-point advantage, Sean Neylon halved the deficit by splitting a pair of free throws. Neither team scored again until Brian Herbert earned his way to the free-throw line with 55 ticks left on the clock, canning both to push Catholic ahead by one.

The Cardinals played great defense on the ensuing possession, forcing a tough jumper late in the shot clock. Following the miss, Jamie Ntiamoah grabbed the most important of his three rebounds.

After Jesse Hafemeister split a pair of free throws, Daryn Alexander hit a big jumper to pull St. Mary's within one with nine seconds remaining. Hafemeister went back to the line and again split the pair, giving the Seahawks a chance to tie or win it at the buzzer but James Lerner's attempt as time expired would not go, giving Catholic a two-point victory.

Balanced scoring was the name of the game on offense as three Cardinals were in double figures and two more posted nine points. Herbert and Hafemeister led the way 12 apiece while Timby provided 11 off the bench. Tommy Kelly joined Neylon with nine.

Ntiamoah was big on defense for the Cardinals. In 15 minutes, the sophomore grabbed three rebounds, registered three blocks and caused three steals. He also added two points.

With the victory, Catholic moves to 3-0 and will face Hood in the tournament's championship game on Sunday. The Cardinals will face Hood who posted a big win over hosts Gallaudet in the other semifinal. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.