WASHINGTON – The Catholic University of America men's basketball team earned a thrilling victory over Scranton on Senior Day, downing the Royals, 79-74. Three Cardinals finished with 20 or more points, led by 25 and 11 assists from senior guard Bryson Fonville.

The win secures a top-two finish in the Landmark Conference standings and Catholic will host a semifinal game on Wednesday night. With a win against Merchant Marine Academy tomorrow at 2 p.m., the Cardinals would win the regular-season league title.

Fonville was joined in the 20-point club by sophomore Jay Howard (22 points) and junior Louis Khouri (20 points). Khouri also grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds. Since joining the starting lineup on Wednesday for head coach Steve Howes, Khouri is averaging 22 points, eight rebounds and 6.5 3-pointers.

CUA's big three powered the Cards to the win, but Scranton did not make it easy as star forward Brendan Boken scored 35 points. No other Royal scored more than 13 however.

The lead changed hands 10 times while also featuring 10 ties. Scranton led by as many as 11 in the first half and took a five-point lead into the break, but Catholic came back in the second to go ahead with a 10-3 run.

Neither team led by more than five in the final 17 minutes.

Scranton held a three-point advantage at 71-68 and less three minutes to play after a dunk by John Vitkus, but the big man was whistled for his fifth foul on a technical. Two free throws by Fonville, followed a stop and by a basket by Howard put CUA back in front.

A free throw by Boken tied the game once again, but Fonville answered with a jumper to put CUA ahead for good.

The regular season title will be decided tomorrow at 2 p.m., as the Cards host USMMA at 2 p.m., back inside the DuFour Center.