HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Cardinals fell to No. 1 Juniata 74-61 on Wednesday evening in the semifinals of the Landmark Conference Tournament.  Juniata held a ten-point lead at halftime and scored 43 second half points to hold off the Cardinals, who were playing in their first-ever Landmark Conference tournament.  With the loss CUA falls to 17-9.

Liz Briones' layup with 2:23 to go in the first half brought CUA to within 24-21, but Juniata scored the next seven points to take a 31-21 lead into intermission.

Jen Hnatuck's basket early in the second put Juniata on top by 12, but the Cardinals ran off five straight to get within seven at the 18:24 mark.  The Eagles responded with 11 straight though to open up an 18-point bulge with 14:21 to play.

CUA refused to go away and after scoring eight straight the Cardinals were back to within ten, 44-34.  However, every time CUA made a run it seemed as though Juniata had an answer as the Eagles opened up a 19-point lead with 7:20 left to play.

A pair of Jenny McGann free throws with 2:04 on the clock brought the Cardinals within 11, but Juniata scored four straight to go on top by 15 with only 1:35 remaining.

Jill Woerned scored a team-high 18 points for the Cardinals and Emily Grabiak added 10.  Katarina Owunna was the team leader in rebounds with nine, while senior Kerri Confrey dished out nine of CUA's 12 assists.  The Cardinals made only one 3-pointer and they committed 24 turnovers.

Four Eagles hit for double figures led by Hnatuck with 15 points, while Kate McDonald pulled down a game-high 13 boards.  The Eagles hit 18 of 23 free throws and they recorded 13 steals.

Juniata led 20-11 with 8:36 remaining in the first half, but the Cardinals scored six straight to get within three with exactly six minutes left to play. 

Following three straight points from the Eagles Confrey got to the hoop for a bucket to make it a five-point game, and that was followed by Briones' basket, which pulled the Cardinals within three.  

CUA must now wait and see if it is selected for the ECAC Tournament.  Check back to cuacardinals.com for all the news surrounding the Cardinals.