Matt Donohue Post-Game Interview

WASHINGTON – The Catholic University women's basketball team (6-4, 1-1 Landmark) opened the 2014 Jamie Lynn Roberts – Fairfield Inn Holiday Tournament with a nail-biting start, as CUA fought through six lead changes and three ties in the second half to defeat the Washington & Lee Generals (6-2, 1-1 ODAC) 68-64 on Monday afternoon.

With the Cardinals ahead by 13 points, 43-30, and 15:36 remaining in the second half, the Generals hit 17-3 run to take their first lead of the half and force CUA to battle for their seat in the tournaments' championship game against Mary Washington on Tuesday, December 30 at 3:00 p.m.

Catholic junior Josephine Migash (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) tallied her first double-double of the season with 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Sophomore Melissa Errico (Harrington, N.J./Old Tappan) led the Cardinal charge with a team-high 16 points and a perfect 2 of 2 outing from the charity stripe, while sophomore Michelle DeSantis (Trumbull, Conn./Lauralton Hall) netted 12 points.

It was a slow first start for both squads, as Catholic did not find the basket until the 17:43 mark and reached a 7-0 lead with W&L unable to score their first shot until the 15:54 on a three pointer by Samantha Sharman.

After a three-minute power struggle of ties and lead changes, Catholic clinched the lead at the 9:39 mark and outscored the Generals 21-12 for a first-half 36-24 Cardinal lead.

Following the intermission, CUA's Migash made good on a layup within the first 15 seconds, increasing the Generals' deficient to 14 points before W&L came alive and challenged the Catholic's stamina.

Three W&L student-athletes scored in double figures with Shelbi Hendricks contributing a team-high 16 points, Emily Perszyk netting 15 points and Jackie Clifford adding 11 points to the mix. Hendricks pulled down a team-best nine rebounds and three steals.

Prior to Catholic's tournament championship against Mary Washington, Washington & Lee takes on Misericordia for the 1:00 p.m. consolation game at the DuFour Athletic Center.

The Jamie Lynn Roberts – Fairfield Inn Holiday Tournament is in honor of Jamie Roberts who was a valued and impactful leader in two proud athletic families. As a three-sport standout and multi-sport captain at St. Mary's College of Maryland, and later as a coach and an assistant in the Catholic University Women's Basketball Program and Sports Information Department. Jamie made it her mission to positively impact the lives and well-being of all whom she came into contact with. Donning her trademark smile, endearing selflessness, and wonderfully magnetic personality, Jamie was quick to lend a hand to any, and all, in need.

-CUA-