HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Juniata men's basketball team played its best game of the season to upset No. 6 Catholic University 85-75 at home in the Kennedy Sports+Recreation Center Wednesday night. The season-high point total came from 51-percent shooting from the floor and season-high 27 made free throws.
"I thought that was the most complete game we probably played all year," said Head Coach Greg Curley. "I thought we struggled a little bit the last few games and to come through that way tonight, I'm really proud of them."
Juniata (9-5, 1-2 Landmark) handed the Cardinals their first Landmark Conference loss of the season to end a three-game losing skid for the Eagles. Catholic dropped to 12-2, 2-1 Landmark with the loss.
Senior Alex Raymond (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Altoona) finished with a game and season-high 23 points. He made 8-of-9 from the free throw line and shot 60-percent from the floor. Junior Kevin Stapleton (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) put up 20 points of his own with a season-best eight field goals. He also had a team-high six rebounds.
"They stepped up when we needed it," said Curley of the pair. "I talked about the need for some court leadership and some guys to step up and those guys did it. They are really good players when they come out and attack and feel confident. I'm just happy that we attacked the entire game."
Two other eagles finished in double-digits. Juniors Jeremy Hays (McMechen, W.Va./John Marshall) and Brian Scholly (State College, Pa./State College) earned 16 and 15 points, respectively. Hays grabbed a game-high three steals and Scholly finished with a career-high five assists.
Juniata scored 24 points off 14 Cardinal turnovers and had a season-low five turnovers to go with 16 assists. The Eagles led by as much as 16 points in the second half.
Catholic's Chris Kearney led the Cardinals with a team-high 20 points.
Juniata hits the road for the next two games starting this Saturday, Jan. 12 at Drew University in a double-header with the women.
"A conference win is a conference win," added Curley. We like to consider ourselves a pretty good team and program, so it's just another game for us. This one doesn't mean much if we go Saturday and don't play well. The most important game for us right now is beating Drew."
Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. against the Rangers. Juniata leads the all-time series 13-8 since the programs began competing in 1977. The Eagles are 6-4 under Curley against Drew and are currently on a two-game win streak.
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