WASHINGTON, D.C.  — The Catholic men's basketball team came into Saturday afternoon riding a seven game win streak, looking to keep pace at the top of the Landmark Conference against Scranton. Sean Neylon dazzled once again against the Royals, dropping 32 points to lead the offensive charge in a dominant, wire-to-wire, 73-46 win for the Cardinals to move to 18-3 on the season.

From the tip, the Cardinals asserted their dominance starting the game out on a 19-3 run in which the Royals scored just one field goal. This run included scoring the first 11 points of the game and Neylon got going from the jump scoring nine points during the run, while Googie Seidman added in four.

Catholic played sound defense throughout the half, holding Scranton to just 7-for-22 (32%) from the field and 1-for-8 (13%) from beyond the arc. On the flip side, Catholic played an efficient half from the field shooting 16-for-31 (52%) from the field with the bulk of the damage coming from Neylon, who finished the first half with 27 of the Cardinals 43 points, including knocking down four three's. Catholic took a commanding 43-16 lead into the halftime break. 

The Cardinals continued to outplay the Royals in the second half, opening up with an 8-2 run. Catholic with 8:26 left in the quarter doubled up Scranton on the scoreboard and took the largest lead of the game at 64-32 after Peter Gellene knocked down a three. The Cardinals were able to get several players in down the stretch and coast to a 73-46 win to run away with their 18th win of the season and 13th in conference play. The win continues the Cardinals longest win streak of the season which is now at eight games. 

Neylon's 32 points led all scores in the game and is his new career-high, after dropping 30 against the Royals earlier in the season. Neylon has now made 75 triples on the season which ties him for the eighth-most in a single season in program history.

Catholic came in as one of the top teams in the country in rebounding margin and that trend continued in the win over Scranton as they were plus 17 in the rebounding category. Jamie Ntiamoah led the way with nine rebounds, five of which were offensive, and Justin Green pulled down seven with four on the offensive end. 

The Cardinals now have four straight victories over the Royals and have won eight of the last nine matchups between the two schools.

Catholic are back for another game at Franny Murray Court on Wednesday, February 12 when they welcome in Juniata. Tip off is set for 7 pm.