KINGS POINT, N.Y. – Defense was once again the difference as No. 17 CUA raced past Merchant Marine Academy 72-49 on Saturday afternoon.  The Cardinals (18-1, 7-1) forced the Mariners (7-10, 1-8) into 26 turnovers and a 33.3 percent shooting performance from the floor to earn their fourth straight win.  Katarina Owunna sank 7 of 10 shots en route to 14 points for CUA, while Emily Grabiak added 11 tallies.

It took 1:27 before either team was able to score, with Kelli Josephsen getting inside for a layup off a feed from Jenny McGann to put the Cards in front 2-0.

Two minutes later, McGann stepped outside and canned a 3-pointer to make it 7-3 CUA.

The teams then traded baskets for the next few minutes, with USMMA pulling to within 13-11 on Rebecca Resor's bucket at the 13:31 mark.

Leading 15-13, CUA ripped off a 15-0 run that spanned 5:25 and gave the Cardinals a commanding 30-13 advantage.

Roshenda Josephs' 3-pointer with 3:43 on the first half clock brought the Mariners to within 13, but the Cardinals scored the next four to open up a 17-point bulge with 2:20 remaining.

Jill Woerner scored the final basket of the opening half and sent CUA into the locker room leading 41-23.

Two free throws by Grabiak with 17:21 to play in the game pushed CUA's lead to 20, and it only continued to grow from there.

Josephsen splashed a jumper with 9:42 left to play, which upped the lead to 59-36, and after Jayni Webster connected from downtown three minutes later, CUA found itself leading by 26.

The Cardinals held a 41-36 advantage on the backboards and they handed out 13 assists, led by Karlyn Dixon with three.

After missing the previous four games, freshman Josephine Migash returned to action and contributed five points and a rebound in 12 minutes.  McGann connected on 3 of 6 shots for seven points, while Dana Coronato added five points, including a 3-pointer.

USMMA was led by Kristina Walz's nine points on 4 of 8 shooting, while Demi VanDerWal added eight points, but shot just 3 of 11 from the floor.  

CUA wraps up its three-game road trip on Wednesday, January 30 when the No. 17 Cardinals head to Huntingdon, Pa. to face Juniata College.  Start time is set for 7 p.m.