WASHINGTON, D.C. — Goucher couldn't find its groove in the nation's capital tonight as the blue and gold dropped a Landmark Conference contest to Catholic, 78-60.

Three and a half minutes into the opening quarter, Goucher was staring at a 12-2 deficit, with the only basket coming off a layup by Briana Bull. The Gophers got within five at the 4-minute mark as India Perkins knocked down 1-of-2 from the line but they trailed 22-13 heading into the second quarter.

Slowly but surely, Goucher cut into Catholic's lead. The Gophers (5-8, 0-4 Landmark) were within three points, twice, until Jaida Scarborough made a jumper to cut the lead to one. With 2:20 left on the clock, Goucher went on a 5-0 run, followed by a made free-throw by Bull, to tie the game at 28 apiece. Though, Patrick Daniel's squad missed their final four shots of the quarter, to send Catholic into the locker room with a 36-28 lead.

The Cardinals (9-5, 4-1 Landmark) came out firing in the third as Jayni Webster hit a 3-point shot to extend their lead to 11. From there, Catholic held a steady lead, and eventually took a 56-42 advantage into the final quarter of play.

Goucher scored 18 points in the fourth but didn't make up any ground as the defense allowed 22.

Scarborough and Bull combined for 31 of the team's 60 total points — 24 of which came in the second half. 

Catholic had four, double-digit scorers: Melissa Errico (16), Webster (15), Bridget Power (14), and Payton Smith (13).

"I am really disappointed in our effort tonight," Daniel's said after the game. "When we step on a basketball court, you have to give effort on every possession and then execute — we fell short in both areas, which cannot happen."

Goucher hosts Scranton on Saturday in a twin-bill with the men's basketball program. The ladies conclude the doubleheader with a 4 p.m. tipoff in the Decker SRC.