Box Score NEW ORLEANS, LA - The 23rd ranked Wildcats lost their top 25 battle with 18th ranked Cardinal Stritch, 67-52 on day one of the Big Easy Challenge.

Daemen was ice cold during the first half and fell behind 29-17 at the break.  The Wildcats shot only 23.1% (6-26) from the field but stayed in the game as Cardinal Stritch was not much better at 29.4% (10-34).  Daemen trailed 13-10 with 10:17 left in the half.  Cardinalt Stritch outscored the Wildcats 16-2 over the next 8:00.

After scoring only 17 points in the first haf, the Wildcats needed less than six minutes to equal that total during the second half.  Daemen trailed 48-40 with 13:00 left but got no closer.

Courtney Donovan led Daemen with 11 points including 3-6 shooting from three-point range.  Monica Kosior added 10 points and seven rebounds.  Ellie Allen led in assists with three and added eight points.  Samantha Stanfield had four steals before leaving the game with a sprained ankle two minutes into the second half.  Cardinal Stritch was led by Janelle Bagneski who had 16 points and eight rebounds coming off of the bench.  Stritch had a 50-36 rebounding edge and forced 21 Daemen turnovers.

Daemen is now 11-2.  They play NAIA I #20 Georgetown (KY) tomorrow at 3:00pm EST.