Royal Touch Upsets Cardinals
Written by: Katie Ann Trotta
2/16/2008

WASHINGTON D.C.- The Catholic University women's basketball squad lost a heartbreaker to the University of Scranton Royals (17-5, 11-1 Landmark), 59-54, Saturday evening. This contest was a crucial lost for the Cardinals in the race to the Landmark Conference in which only the top four teams in the league will qualify. This loss also puts the Cards at 9-14 for the season and 4-8 in conference.

Three seconds into the first half the Cardinals took the lead with a layup by sophmore Kate Robinson (Emmitsburg, Md./ Catoctin). The Scranton defense hung tight but allowed the Cardinals to stay within reach. With 8:15 left in the first the score was tied 19-19. Soon after the Catholic offense snagged the lead again. CUA went into the second half on top, 35-34, after a half court swoosh by freshman Kerri Confrey (Pearl River, N.Y./ Pearl River) at the buzzer.

CUA shot well from the floor hitting 42.9 percent from the field, 57.1 percent from three and 70 percent from the line. Playing a 3-2 zone defense, the CUA defense was intense with six steals and 12 rebounds. Freshman Christina Rogers (Monmouth Beach, N.J./ Red Bank Catholic) was perfect from beyond the arc and Brianna Peterson (Garnerville, N.Y./North Rockland) hit five out of six foul shots. Peterson led the offense with 18 points and Confrey was strong in the paint with three rebounds.

Getting off to a slow start in the second, CUA lost their lead; however, they never backed down. The Cardinal defense kept the Royals within reach. The Cards battled their way back and regained the lead with 5:24 left in the second when freshman Jenn Canale (Valley Cottage, N.Y./Albertus Magnus) hit both of her free throws. Their lead was short lived, however, when Scranton's Ryan Mooney hit a three. CUA battled back but fell short at the end 59-54.

Peterson was the leading scorer with 22 points for the Cards. Freshman Lauren McPeak (Linwodd, N.J./ Mainland Regional) led the Cardinal defense with 10 rebounds. The Cardinals made 35.7 percent from beyond the arc, 30.2 percent in the paint, and 70.8 percent from the line. Although being outrebounded by the Royals 52-35 the Cardinals had fewer turnovers 17-14.

The Catholic University Cardinals will play at the Dufour center tomorrow as they battle Landmark Conference contender Moravian at 2 p.m.

-K.T.