WASHINGTON, D.C. - Catholic University women's basketball sophomore Amanda Johnson totaled 16 points, six rebounds and four steals as the Cardinals opened a three-game home stand Wednesday with a 78-66 victory over Juniata on Franny Murray Court.

Catholic (18-4, 9-2 LC) posted its fifth-straight win at home, improving its record to 8-2.

Like Johnson, freshman Rachel Bussanich also finished one point shy of her career high with 16 points while senior Sydney Poindexter added 15 points and seven rebounds.

The Cardinals had to overcome a slow start to maintain its hold on first place in the Landmark Conference standings as they fell behind 6-0 in the game's first two minutes.

However, led by five points from Johnson, the Cards answered with a 12-2 run to take 12-8 lead with 4:30 remaining in the first quarter following a three-pointer by freshman Erin Doherty. They would not trail again.

Johnson scored 11 of her 16 points in the first half as Catholic took a 38-32 advantage into halftime. Poindexter added six points and six rebounds while the Cardinals' bench outscored the Eagles, 14-5.

Bussanich scored 11 of Catholic's 19 third-quarter points, including five from the free throw line where she was 5-of-6 as the Cards extended their lead to nine, 57-48. Freshman Amelia Baldo added six points in the quarter as she and Bussanich outscored Juniata, 17-16.

The Cardinals led by as many as 18 with 7:17 left in the fourth while going 10-of-14 from the free throw line. Poindexter scored five of her seven points in quarter from the line, going 5-for-6.

Catholic finished 22-of-29 from the free throw line while scoring 20 points off of 28 Juniata turnovers.

Baldo finished with eight points, four rebounds and four assists while Johnson made a career-best four three-pointers.

The Cardinals host Susquehanna on Saturday for senior day. Tip-off is at 4 p.m. Prior to the game, the team will honor its three seniors: Poindexter, Megan Stafford and Mollie Reynolds.