No. 21 Cards return to action at Courtyard US Capital Holiday tourney

WASHINGTON – Sitting at an unbeaten 9-0, the No. 21 CUA women's basketball team will get back to work on December 30 when the Cardinals host the CUA Courtyard US Capital Holiday Tournament.  CUA will face Pitt-Greensburg in the opening round, with SUNY-Oswego and William Paterson competing in the other first round matchup.

The Cardinals are off to a strong start thanks in large part to their stifling defense.  CUA is holding teams to just 47 points on 29% shooting, including a 24% clip from 3-point range.  The Cardinals also own a +11.6 rebound margin and a +1.7 turnover margin.

Senior captain Jill Woerner is CUA's leading scorer at nearly 19 points per game (18.6), followed by Katarina Owunna at 10.6 points.

Owunna is the team's leading rebounder (9.3 per game), while Kelli Josephsen leads the squad in shooting at 48%.

CUA is a perfect 3-0 at home this season with wins over Marymount, Bridgewater and Salisbury.  In those three wins, the Cards held their opponent to an average of 47 points on 30% shooting.

CUA's first round opponent, Pitt-Greensburg, enters the tournament with a record of 5-5.  The Bobcats, who fell to Westminster College their last time out, are led by Dames Kayla's 9.4 points per game.

The Cardinals advanced to the championship game of this tournament last season with a 56-41 first round win over Thiel College.  The Cardinals were then upended by Washington College 65-61 in the championship.

Here is a look at the three schools heading to Washington, D.C. this weekend for the CUA Courtyard US Capital Holiday Tournament.

Pitt-Greensburg
Location: Greensburg, Pa.
Nickname: Bobcats
2012-13 record: 5-5
Conference: Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference
Head Coach: Erin Eaton
Leading Scorer: Dames Kayla (9.4 ppg)
Last Time Out: Lost to Westminster College 58-48 (December 18)

William Paterson
Location: Wayne, N.J.
Nickname: Pioneers
2012-13 record: 7-3
Conference: NJAC
Head Coach: Erin Monahan
Leading Scorer: Floriana Borova (20.8 ppg)
Last Time Out: Defeated Mount St. Mary College 64-54 (December 15)

SUNY-Oswego
Location: Oswego, N.Y.
Nickname: Lakers
2012-13 record: 8-0
Conference: SUNYAC
Head Coach: Tracy Bruno
Leading Scorer: Meagan Stover (16.1 ppg)
Last Time Out: Defeated Cazenovia 73-44 (December 14)

CUA Courtyard US Capital Holiday Tournament
Sunday, December 30
CUA vs. Pitt-Greensburg – 6 p.m.
William Patterson vs. SUNY-Oswego – 8 p.m.

Monday, December 31
Consolation game – 2 p.m.
Championship game – 4 p.m.