HUNTINGDON, Pa.  – After leading 33-32 at halftime, CUA (8-4) could not hold on vs. Juniata as the Cardinals suffered their first Landmark Conference loss of the season on Friday evening with a 78-65 setback to the Eagles (8-5).  Three Cardinals hit for double figures, led by Jill Woerner with 14, while Jenny McGann and Holly Janicki added 10 apiece.

CUA trailed for the majority of the first half, but battled back late to take a one-point lead into intermission.  That lead was quickly gone following halftime though, as Juniata came out and scored the first five points to go on top 37-33.

A Liz Briones three-pointer with 17:21 remaining brought the Cardinals within one at 39-38, but that was as close as CUA would get as the Eagles ripped off 14 straight points to take a commanding 53-38 lead with 14:38 left to play.

Juniata's lead swelled to as many as 20, which came on three occasions, and CUA never got any closer than the final 13-point margin.

After shooting 46 percent in the first half, CUA dipped to 36 percent in the final 20 minutes.  The Cardinals, who came into the game leading the Landmark Conference in rebound margin, were outrebounded 47-33 on the night, but CUA did force 22 Juniata turnovers and scored 28 points off those miscues.

Natalie Glinksy scored a team-best 18 points for the home team, while Ashton Banks netted 17 and Kate McDonald registered a double-double with 15 points and 11 boards.  The Eagles handed out 17 assists on 26 field goals and they sank 17 of 24 free throw attempts (75 percent).

In the first half Juniata led 18-6 just seven minutes in, but CUA reeled off 12 straight points, capped by a pair of free throws by Jenny McGann, to tie the score at 18 with under 11 minutes left before halftime.

Juniata regained the lead and led by three when McDonald scored on a layup with 3:09 to play, but four straight from the Cardinals gave the lead back to the visitors with 47 ticks on the clock. 

Two free throws by Jordan Speck put the Eagles ahead by one with only 33 seconds remaining, but senior Kerri Confrey got to the basket for a hoop with seven seconds to go, giving CUA a slim 33-32 lead at the break.

CUA will conclude its weekend on Saturday with a trip to take on Susquehanna.  Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m.