WASHINGTON D.C. - Despite a valiant effort on Monday afternoon, Eastern Women's Basketball dropped a 77-60 decision to undefeated Catholic University in the first game of the Jamie L. Roberts Holiday Classic. The Cardinals used a 33-point second quarter to build a double-digit lead they would not relinquish. 

The Eagles had four players finish in double figures, led by Wynter Bess' 14. The graduate student shot six-of-15 from the field and two-of-five from beyond the arc to record her third double-digit scoring effort in Eastern's last four games. Junior Camila Sosa scored 12 points, including a pair of triples, to go along with four rebounds and three assists, while fellow junior Taryn Woodson recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Jeriyah Johnson rounded out Eastern's double-digit scorers with 10 points and five rebounds. Additionally, graduate forward Miranda Liebtag finished with seven points and five rebounds, putting her over the 500 career rebound mark. 

Catholic (10-0) scored the first five points of the game, before Johnson scored five straight points of her own, including a three, to make it 7-5 Catholic at the 6:59 mark. Trinity Upton trimmed the Cardinals' advantage to 10-8 with a jumper in the paint, but Catholic ended the quarter on an 8-2 run to take an 18-10 lead into the second quarter. The Eagles shot just three-of-12 in the first 10 minutes. 

The Cardinals took control of the game in the second quarter, shooting a scorching 68.4 percent (13-of-19) from the field and 70 percent (seven-of-10) from long range. Sosa scored the first two points of the frame to make it a six-point contest, but Catholic answered with 10 straight points to make it 28-12 with 5:50 to play in the first half. Bess hit a jumper a few moments later to cut the Cardinals' advantage to 14, but Catholic ended the half on a 23-11 surge to take a 51-25 halftime lead. 

The Eagles played better in the second half, outscoring the Cardinals 35-28 in the final two frames, but Catholic's second quarter surge proved to be the difference in the contest. Eastern battled in the fourth, trimming the lead to 16 points on a Woodson layup with 6:27 on the clock, but would not get any closer. 

Eastern shot 40.7 percent (24-of-59) from the field and eight-of-22 (36.4 percent) from beyond the arc. Furthermore, the Cardinals took advantage of Eastern's giveaways, scoring 21 points off of 21 turnovers. 

Eastern (3-6) will wrap up the Jamie L. Roberts Holiday Classic tomorrow afternoon against TCNJ. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm.