WASHINGTON-- Tournament MVP Jason Banzhaf (Livingston, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) finished with 24 points and nine rebounds, as the Cardinals defeated Husson to win the 2009 CUA / Residence Inn - Greenbelt Classic, 73-63.

Evin Yarborugh (Burke, Va./Lake Braddock), who also was named to the All-Tournament team, finished with 11 points and seven boards, while R.J. Dixon (Charlotte, N.C./Cannon School) scored nine, and marked five assists.

Leading the way for Husson were the All-Tournament players, Matt Mckenzie and Brock Bradford, who each finished in double figures in points.

Husson broke out to an early lead, extending its lead to six with 11 minutes remaining in the first half, but CUA climbed back with back to back three pointers. The teams exchanged leads throughout the first half, with CUA taking a four point lead into the break.

In the second half, CUA broke the game wide open, starting the half with a 17-10 run over the first eight minutes, extending its lead to 12. Over the next six minutes Husson cut that lead to two with 6:41 left on the clock, 56-54.

CUA would allow the guests no closer exchanging baskets for the remainder of the period and extending its lead to ten with 38 seconds remaining.

CUA out rebounded Husson 37-30 including 11 offensive boards, leading to 12 second chance points. The Cardinals used 12 second half free throw conversions to protect their lead.

The Eagles play again on Thursday, January 7, 2009 at U. Southern Maine tip off is 7:00 pm. CUA will return to action Friday, January 9, 2009 at Drew University as the Cardinals will continue their Landmark Conference season.