Cards Snap Skid with Big Win Over FSU
Schiavoni gets the double-double on her birthday

1/23/2008

WASHINGTON - The Catholic University women's basketball team (6-9) ended a seven-game skid Wednesday evening with a 63-40 victory over the Frostburg State University Bobcats (5-11).  Thanks to a career-high 26 points from junior captain Jessica Schiavoni (Winchester, Va./John Handley), the Cards cruised to a 23-point win and their first victory of 2008. 

The Cardinals controlled the game from the opening tip staging a 9-0 run to start the game.  With the advantage the Cards managed to hang onto the lead despite some sloppy play and 14 first half turnovers.  CUA led by 12 with as many minutes remaining but allowed six quick Bobcat points to pull them within six.  After a three-minute scoring drought for both teams, the Cards regained their poise and went ahead by 10 at the break 29-19.

Schiavoni had a game-high 16 points in the first along with eight rebounds.  Freshmen Lauren McPeak (Linwood, N.J./Mainland Regional) and Brianna Peterson (Garnerville, N.Y./North Rockland) each contributed four points and McPeak brought down nine boards.  Much of CUA's success was in part to their 40 percent shooting from the field and the defense holding Frostburg State to just 27 percent.  The Cards also outrebounded the Bobcats 26-12.

Already holding a comfortable lead coming out of the break, CUA scored four points to open the second silencing any FSU momentum.  The Bobcats began to get frustrated and foul sending CUA to the line where the squad was 12-17 in the second half.  The Cardinal offense continued to fire and as FSU was forced to sit players due to foul trouble the lead ballooned to 27 and at the final buzzer CUA had the 63-40 victory.

Schiavoni led all scorers with a career-high 26 points as well as 10 rebounds for the double-double.  Peterson finished with 14 points and nine rebounds while McPeak added eight points and 14 boards.  The Cards outrebounded the Bobcats 48-33 and outshot them 42-25 percent.  Elizabeth Carrington led FSU with 14 points in the contest.

The Cards will host Susquehanna and Juniata this weekend in a Saturday and Sunday Landmark Conference doubleheader at the DuFour Center.