HUNTINGDON, Pa. - Balanced scoring and a strong first quarter led the Catholic University women's basketball team over Juniata on Wednesday night, 79-43.

Twelve players scored for the 20th-ranked Cardinals (12-1, 3-1 LC) as they extended their winning streak to five. Senior Amanda Johnson led the way with 14 points, with 11 in the first period.

The Cardinals began the game on a 16-2 run and never looked back. Catholic shot an impressive 64.7 percent from the field in the first quarter and opened up a 27-12 after the first stanza.

Senior Luca Mamula led the team in rebounds with nine, a season-high, and four steals. Junior Amelia Baldo filled the stat sheet, contributing seven points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Junior Erin Doherty scored nine points and claimed five rebounds. Sophomore Molly Aromando also added nine points.

After leading 36-19 at halftime, Catholic used an emphatic third quarter to seal the victory. The Cardinals outscored the Eagles 24-9, and Junior Sammie McCarter scored all 10 of her points in the quarter.

Freshman Shannon Donahue marked her collegiate debut with an impressive seven points. She shot 3-4 from the field and added two rebounds in eight minutes of action.

It was a dominant preformance on both ends of the floor for the Cardinals. They shot 48.5 percent from the field and assisted on more than half of the made field goals in the game. On defense, Catholic claimed 17 steals and blocked four shots. The Cardinals outrebounded the Eagles 47-29.

Senior center Taylor Vrabel led the way for Juniata with 12 points on a perfect 6-6 from the field. She also posted six rebounds and two assists.

The Cardinals are next in action on Saturday as they travel to Bethlehem to face Moravian at 4 p.m.