WASHINGTON, D.C. – Host No. 2 seed Catholic University shot 51.7 percent from the field and led from start to finish on way to a 96-76 victory over No. 3 seed Wilkes University Thursday night in the semifinals of the Landmark Conference Championship Tournament at Franny Murray Court.
 
Wilkes concluded its 2024-25 season with a 20-7 overall record, the most wins in a single season in more than 24 years. Catholic improved to 22-4 overall and advanced to the championship game on Saturday where the Cardinals travel to No. 1 seed Drew University, a 87-81 winner over No. 4 seed Susquehanna University in the others semifinal matchup.
 
Leading by ten at the half, 40-30, Catholic used a 28-12 run over the first ten minutes of the second half to take a commanding 68-42 lead thanks to blistering shooting from the floor. Eli Becker (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) knocked down a pull-up jumper to stop the momentum temporarily before seven straight points from the Cardinals gave the hosts its largest lead of the game at 80-48 with 7:34 on the clock.
 
Wilkes used a quick 7-0 run of their own to cut the deficit to 26 points thanks to another Becker score, Brian Britton (Elysburg, PA/Southern Columbia) layup and Cayden Merrifield (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) three-pointer with 5:48 remaining in the game. Daniel Santaniello (Roaring Brook Twp., PA/Scranton Prep) scored eight consecutive points for the Colonels to trim the lead to 23 points, but Catholic continued to score from both the floor and the free throw line to hand the Colonels its third loss between the two teams this season.
 
The Cardinals began the game just like they finished it hitting on all cylinders from the offensive end. Catholic took a 12-4 lead hitting its first five shots from the field and four from the free throw line. The lead grew to as many as 19 points before a three pointer from Merrifield and jumper from Becker with three seconds left in the half brought Wilkes to within ten at the break.
 
Wilkes shot just 35.9 percent from the floor with almost half of its makes coming from behind the arc (11-for-31 from three-point range). Merrifield led all Wilkes scorers with 22 points and five assists, canning five three-pointers. He finished his career at Wilkes with 1,199 points, 26^th all-time on the school's scoring list. Becker followed with 14 points and six rebounds while Santaniello also contributed 14 points including three treys. Lucas Lesko (Northampton, PA/Northampton) was the final Colonel in double figures posting 12 points and six rebounds.
 
Catholic finished 30-for-58 from the field and held a decisive advantage at the charity stripe going 30-for-35 from the line. The Cardinals also dominated inside scoring 44 of its 96 points in the paint. Brian Herbert topped all scorers with 26 points on 8-of-10 shooting including a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. CJ Ruoff followed with 19 points while Sean Neylon added 14 points.