Cardinals Fly Away From Gophers in Second Half

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Visiting Goucher College held a 28-27 halftime lead, but host Catholic outscored the Gophers 24-5 in the third quarter en route to a 75-47 Landmark Conference women's basketball win Wednesday evening at Franny Murray Court.

• Catholic (16-4, 7-2 Landmark) jumped out to a 9-2 lead midway through the first quarter.
• A 7-1 Goucher (3-17, 0-9) run capped by a putback by Kyani Quarles (Houston, Texas/Cristo Rey Jesuit) made it 10-9 with just under two minutes to go.
• The hosts took a 15-12 lead after one, after Quarles had a conventional three-point play with 53 seconds on the clock.

• Two Quarles free throws at the 9:08 mark gave the Gophers their first lead of the game, 16-15.
• After Catholic scored the next four points, a three by Briyah Haggins (Waldorf, Md./Westlake) tied the game 19-19 just under eight minutes to go.
• Haggins' three launched a 10-2 Goucher run and a basket by Kyla Smith (Easton, Pa./Easton) with 4:39 left before halftime put the Gophers in front 26-21.
• The Cardinals came back to tie it at 26 before an Alexis Kuhlman (Mount Airy, Md./Herndon) basket put Goucher in front 28-26 with 1:47 left.
• The guests took a 28-27 lead into the locker room.

• Catholic took a 30-28 lead before Julia Cavoli's (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) basket tied the game 30-30 1:20 into the second half.
• The Cardinals reeled off 19 straight points before a Smith three with just under a minute to go halted the run.
• Catholic carried a 51-33 lead into the final period.

• The hosts moved the lead to 30, 66-36, just over four minutes into the final frame.
• Goucher rattled off nine straight points to make it 66-45 with 3:47 on the clock.
• Catholic closed the game on a 9-2 run of its own.

• Quarles registered her second straight double-double and ninth of the season, recording 15 points and 12 rebounds.  She finished 5-9 from the floor and made all five of her free throws.
• Eight of Quarles' 12 rebounds were on the offensive end.
• Smith was the other Gopher in double figures as she added 10 points. She scored in double figures for the 18th time in 19 games.
• Haggins added seven points off the bench, knocking down a pair of three-pointers.
• Goucher shot 31% overall, was 4-16 from three and 9-10 at the free throw line. The Gophers outrebounded the Cardinals 40-39.
• Catholic shot 37% overall, was 9-26 behind the arc and 18-23 at the charity stripe.
• The Cardinals won their fourth straight as they placed five players in double figures.

• Goucher returns home Saturday, hosting Juniata in a 2 pm Landmark Conference game at the Decker Sports and Recreation Center.