WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Catholic women's basketball team hosted Roanoke in the first game of the Jamie Lynn Roberts DC Holiday Classic. After trailing by 17 points at the half, the Cardinals came back to win 80 to 79.

The Maroons struck first with a layup from Mariah Cain. Roanoke's Ashley Fowler added a three pointer before the Cardinals found the hoop. Carly Catania had the first basket for the Cardinals from the paint. Lauren Kraft went 2-2 at the free throw line to contribute to the fight. The Maroons went on an eight point run before Anna Scoblick drove to the rim to bring the score to 21 to 10. Roanoke's Fowler scored a three to close out the quarter.

The Cardinals scored double the amount of points in the second quarter than the first in an attempt to cut down the deficit. Amelia Kennedy made two free throws to start the second quarter for the Cardinals. Scoblick and Kraft added a combined five points early in the quarter. Kennedy scored two more buckets from the paint, scoring six points in the quarter. Alexa Kenah made two trips to the free throw line, sinking all four attempts. Despite the comeback attempt, the Maroons once again outscored the Cardinals. Catholic ended the half trailing 30 to 47.

Catholic came out of the locker room looking to score early and often, and they did just that in the second half. McKenna Karlson took advantage of her visit at the charity line, scoring her first two points of the game 30 seconds into the third quarter. Anna Scoblick found herself eight points this quarter, all from the paint. Coming in late in the quarter, Sofia Travieso chalked up a layup of her own, side-stepping her defender. The difference maker in this quarter was Catholic's ability to collect defensive rebounds, which they earned eight of. The Cardinals outscored the Maroons 19 to 13 in the third quarter, cutting down the deficit to 49-60 with just ten minutes to go. 

The Catholic offense exploded in the fourth quarter, putting up 31 points. Even though the Cardinals were trailing by 11 points at the start of the quarter, the momentum was now in their hands. Roanoke only scored back-to-back once, which happened in the first minute from a layup by Mariah Cain and a three from Nadia Snesarev. Karlson cut the Maroons' streak with a layup. Catania added a pair of made free throws to the Cardinals' own six point streak and Scoblick capped it with a layup. Kennedy's made free throw attempt and Catania's bucket from the paint cut the deficit to eight points with just over seven minutes left to play. The Cardinals continued putting pressure on the Maroons and found nine points from turnovers in the fourth quarter.

Roanoke continued to put up a fight, but it was not enough to battle the Catholic offense. After some back-and-forth action, the Cardinals found their first lead of the game with 39 seconds left to play. Catania sank a three to give Catholic the 77 to 76 lead. She followed it up shortly after with a pair of made free throws, giving Catholic a three point lead. Alexa Kenah collected a defensive rebound with 10 seconds left to play. In an attempt to thwart victory and stop the clock, the Maroons fouled Scoblick. The senior made her second free throw, now giving Catholic a four point lead. In an attempt to fight back in the final seconds, Paige Bruer sank a halfcourt three, but Catholic's lead was enough to secure the 80-79 win.

Senior Alexa Kenah made a difference on all sides of the ball, scoring eight points and collecting eight rebounds, six of which were on defense. 

Senior Anna Scoblick scored 23 points in today's match, a season high. Carly Catania also reached double digits with 15 points. Six of her points were made from the free throw line, shooting 100 percent. 

Amelia Kennedy and Lauren Kraft were the other two Cardinals who reached double digits, scoring 13 and 11 respectively. The pair collected five rebounds each. 

Up next, the Cardinals look to remain undefeated at home on the season as they take on Randolph-Macon in the final game of the Jamie Lynn Roberts DC Holiday Classic on Tuesday, December 16th at 4 p.m.