WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Juniata men's basketball team used a suffocating first half of defense to get the win at Catholic, 68-58, Wednesday evening at Franny Murray Court.  

Neither team scored for the first four minutes of the game before Cameron Keck (Waynesboro, Pa. / Waynesboro) assisted Marcus Hall (York, Pa. / Trinity) on a jumper. It was another three minutes before a pair of Andrew Bithell (Saxton, Pa. / Tussey Mountain HS) free throws doubled the JC advantage. Bithell rattled home a jump shot to make it six before the Cardinals finally scored on the Eagle defense via a three-pointer, over eight minutes into the game. Nate DaCanal (Johnsonburg, Pa. / Elk County Catholic) assisted a Michael Montecalvo (Altoona, Pa. / Bishop Guilfoyle HS) three following a John Kelly (Philadelphia, Pa. / Roman Catholic High School) offensive rebound before Catholic scored three the old-fashioned way to make it 9-6. 

Back-to-back buckets from DaCanal and Chase Husted (DuBois, Pa. / DuBois Area HS) followed by a two Keck free throws pushed the lead to nine. Two possessions later, following a Cardinal free-throw, Husted got fouled while tipping the ball back in, followed by a Keck layup which made it 20-7. 

The hosts got within 10 at 25-15 with just under three minutes to go in the half, but JC closed strong as Hall split a pair of free throws, scored on a layup on the next possession, and stole the ball before flipping it to Montecalvo for a layup. Catholic responded with a layup of their own, Evan Eisenhart (York, Pa. / Central York H.S.) made a three off a Montecalvo assist, but the Cardinals scored inside again to make it 33-19. Montecalvo got foul in the final seconds while shooting a three and made all three free throws to send the Eagles into the locker room at the half with a 17-point lead. 

Juniata cruised through most of the second half with a double-digit lead, but Catholic made it somewhat interesting late, getting as close as six (64-58) with 28 seconds to go. Juniata made enough free throws the rest of the way and prevented the Cardinals from scoring to get the win. 

This was the fourth game this season the Eagles held their opponent under 40% shooting from the field. 

Juniata will host Scranton this Friday at 7:00.