MORRISTOWN, N.J. - The College of Saint Elizabeth's men's basketball team (7-6, 2-3 NEAC) faltered in the second half as it fell to NEAC North opponent Cazenovia College, 97-78 on Sunday afternoon.

The beginning of the game saw fast paced action as both teams combined for 18 points in the first three minutes.  Trailing 17-12, the Eagles scored the next six points to take an 18-17 lead, its first of the game.  The three-point barrage continued midway through the half as Lance Rhoden made two straight three-pointers en route to eight straight points to up the Eagles lead to 28-22 with 11:26 remaining in the half.

Trailing 31-24, the Wildcats used a 8-2 run over a two-minute span to cut the Eagles lead to 33-32.  With the Eagles clinging to a 39-36 lead with four minutes remaining, Pierre Harden buried a corner three-pointer to extend the lead to six.  Despite the Wildcats outscoring the Eagles in the final four minutes, CSE took a 53-48 lead into halftime.

After the Wildcats scored the first three points of the half, the Eagles responded by scoring the next eight points and opening a 61-51 advantage.  Over the next four minutes, the Wildcats answered with a 14-0 run to take a 65-61 lead, its first since the first half.  The Wildcats continued to up the lead over the next three minutes, building an eight-point lead with 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

The Eagles cut the deficit to eight however the Wildcats used an 8-2 run to up the lead to 92-74, its largest of the game.  CSE fought for the remaining six minutes but could not recover, dropping the contest, 97-78.

Jason Saldiveri led the way with 21 points and 10 rebounds.  Cam Tucker added 18 points while Lance Rhoden finished with 12 points.

The Eagles look to make it back-to-back conference wins on Wednesday when it travels to Penn College for an 8 pm start.