Men’s Basketball Drops Opener at Catholic University Greenbelt Classic

(WASHINGTON, DC)  Ervin Maddox (Staten Island, NY / St. Peter's) and Justin Gist(Brooklyn, NY / Newsome) scored 12 points each in an 88-60 loss to the host at the Catholic University Residence Inn Greenbelt Classic.  St. Joseph's dropped to 4-7 while Catholic improved to 8-2 on the season.

The opening round game was a rematch of the Mount Aloysius Tournament Championship earlier this season which the Bears lost 88-43.  The Bears wouldn't find a different outcome in the rematch as the Cardinals dominated the game throughout. 

The Bears started the game with two point lead on two free throws from Maddox on a technical foul charged to Catholic prior to the start of the game for a book infraction.  Catholic would regain the lead within the first two minutes and never looked back.  The Cardinals took a nine-point advantage, 41-32, into the locker room.  In the second half, Catholic extended their lead to as many as 29 halfway through the period and the Bears would cut the lead to as little as 23 before ultimately losing 88-60.

Catholic dominated in all facets outshooting St. Joseph's 48.5% to 31.1%.  Catholic held a distinct rebounding advantage 54-31 including 22 offensive boards.  The Cardinals also converted the 13 St. Joseph's turnovers into 18 points, while the Bears were only able to score 6 points on the 11 Catholic miscues.

Maddox grabbed four rebounds and had a trio of assists in addition to his 12 points.  Gist dished out four assists and grabbed two steals.  Luke Klimaszewski (Queens, NY / St. John's Prep) chipped in 10 points and grabbed a team-high five boards coming off the bench.  Catholic was led by Jason Banzhaf (19 points, 5 rebounds), Brian Baker (17 points, 3 rebounds) and RJ Dixon (11 points).