WASHINGTON - The Catholic University of America women's basketball team captured their fifth win of the year as they topped Gallaudet University 71-47 on Saturday afternoon.

Three Cardinals scored double-digit points as Catholic senior Payton Smith recorded a game-high 17 with 5-of-5 the from the free throw line. Fellow senior Samantha Cowan put up 12 points and sophomore Sydney Poindexter scored 13. Collectively, Catholic shot 100% from the charity stripe. 

Poindexter pulled down five rebounds and grabbed five steals while her classmate Megan Stafford had the game-high eight rebounds and fellow sophomore Mollie Reynolds made a team-high six steals. 

The Cardinals gained a 6-5 lead through the opening five minutes, but the Bison went on a 6-3 run to take the advantage by the end of the first period.

With the momentum, Gallaudet maintained the lead through the majority of the second quarter. Catholic junior Emily O'Connor sunk two free throws to tie the game a 21 with under two and a half minutes to play in the half. The Bison answered with a jumper but fellow sophomore Sarah O'Neill closed the half with a three-point basket to put the Cardinals up 24-23 at the intermission.

Catholic lit up the court in the third period outscoring Gallaudet 21-12 including 3-of-5 from behind the arch to take a 10-point (45-35) lead. Cowan went 4-of-5 during the quarter including 2-of-2 from long range while Smith knocked down a three-pointer in the final 30-seconds.

The Cardinals drove home the victory in the remaining 10-minute period. Smith opened the fourth quarter with two free throws before Cowan sunk a layup and freshman CC Mooney knocked down a three-pointer.

Stafford hit a layup with three minutes remaining in the game to give the Cardinals a 26-point margin, their largest lead of the night (66-40). The Cardinals claimed the victory as freshman Cristin George scored Catholic's final basket of the night from behind the arch.

Catholic continues the weekend with a home matchup against Wesley College on Sunday, December 17 at 2:00 p.m.

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