Santa Cruz, Calif. - The Catholic University of America women’s basketball fell 57-55 to California Lutheran University on Thursday evening.

The Catholic bench supplied the Cardinals with 30 total points in the contest as junior Emily O'Connor led the flock with 12 points and senior Briana Bull dished out seven assists. Starting sophomore Megan Stafford recorded team-highs with six rebounds and five steals while registering eight points.

The Cardinals started the night strong with completed shots from Stafford and senior Samantha Cowan for an 8-1 run in the opening three minutes.

Catholic shot 53.8% from the field in the first and second quarters to take a 33-29 lead at the halftime break.

Cowan started the third period with a quick jumper and gave Catholic a 6-point lead (35-29). The Regals battled back and gained the 38-37 advantage with 2:25 to play in the quarter. The teams went back-and-forth in the following two minute before Catholic senior Payton Smith hit a layup and free throw to regain the lead (44-41) before the final quarter.

The Regals tied the game in the first minute of the fourth period but a three-point bucket from sophomore Mollie Reynolds put Catholic back in front. A layup from Bull kept the Cards on top but the Regals finished out the remaining eight minutes on a 10-6 run, which was good enough for the midweek win.

The Cardinals, now 7-2, will return to the east coast to host Kings College of Pennsylvania in the opening game of the 2017 Jaime Lynn Roberts – Fairfield Inn Holiday Tournament. Tipoff is slated for Friday, December 29 at 3 p.m.

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