WASHINGTON – The Drew University women's basketball team took on its second nationally-ranked opponent of the season on Saturday but came up on the short end of a 78-49 decision at Catholic University, ranked No. 11 by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and No. 18 by D3hoops.com.
 
After Catholic opened the game on a big run, the Rangers (8-5, 3-3 LC) rallied to cut the deficit to only six at halftime and nine heading into the fourth quarter before the Cardinals (11-1, 4-1 LC) pulled away in the final stanza.
 
Junior forward Gianna Pica scored 15 points while sophomore guard Amy Rachilla added 13 points. Junior guard Maddie Beyer contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and three steals.
 
Carly Mulvaney posted 18 points, eight rebounds, and six assists for Catholic, which shot 56.0% (14-for-25) from 3-point range.
 
The Cardinals never trailed after scoring the game's first seven points, part of a 15-2 run to open the contest. The Rangers refused to back down, however, and scored the final seven points of the opening quarter – capped by a 3-pointer from sophomore guard Olivia Aliotta – to make it 20-14 heading into the second period.
 
Drew's run continued into the second quarter, as the Rangers pulled to within 20-19 to complete a 12-0 surge. The Rangers drew to within a point several minutes later on a Rachilla layup that made it 24-23 with 6:46 on the clock. However, that's when Catholic answered with a 10-0 run to go up by 11. Freshman guard Jocelyn Kingsley converted a driving layup with four ticks showing to make it a 37-28 game at the break.
 
The visitors made it a seven-point game (43-36) with 4:11 left following another Rachilla bucket. But the Cardinals scored the next six points and the hosts held a double-figure lead the rest of the way.
 
The Rangers hit the road again on Wednesday, when they travel to Wilkes University for another Landmark Conference matchup starting at 7 p.m.