SCRANTON, Pa. – The Cabrini women's basketball team used a suffocating defensive performance in the game's final minutes to score a 58-48 victory at Marywood University this afternoon.  The win moved the Blue and White to 16-4 overall and 10-1 in the Colonial States Athletic Conference.

Three Cavaliers scored in double figures on the day, led by senior Brittany Sandone with 16 points and  a career best six steals.  Fellow senior Annie Rivituso recorded her second double double of the season, pairing 14 points and a career high 17 rebounds.  Junior Megan Decker matched Rivituso with 14 points in the win.

While both teams exchanged the lead in the game's early minutes, the Cavaliers used a 15-2 run midway through the opening stanza to build a 20-11 lead with eight minutes until halftime.  The Pacers responded with a 14-2 run of their own for a 25-22 advantage.  Cabrini closed the half with a 10-3 spurt punctuated by a Sandone three pointer in the final seconds, handing the Blue and White a 35-28 lead at the break.

Sophomore Meghan Martin's three pointer with 10:49 to play put the Blue and White up nine, but again the Pacers had an answer.  Over the next 2:16, Marywood scored nine straight points, evening the score at 46 with 8:19 on the clock.

The Cavaliers then turned up the defensive effort, holding Marywood to just two points during the final 8:19 of the game.   Conversely, the Blue and White closed the game on a 12-2 run, including 8-9 from the free throw line over the final 7:02.

While both teams struggled shooting from the floor, Cabrini shooting 25% and Marywood 33.3%, the Cavaliers took advantage of its trips to the line.  The Blue and White connected on 19 of its 25 attemptss, while the Pacers went to the line just 11 times, hitting seven.  Cabrini also forced 28 turnovers, turning them into 21 points. 

Junior Amber Keys grabbed 10 rebounds, while sophomore Kristina Startare recorded four steals in the win.

Ashley Morgan led the Pacers (12-7, 7-4 CSAC) with 10 points in the loss.

The Cavaliers will complete their four game road trip on Wednesday when they visit Gwynedd Mercy University (10-10, 1-4 CSAC).  Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m.