WASHINGTON, D.C. – A dominant defensive effort led the Salisbury University women's basketball team to a 59-34 victory over the Catholic University of America on Sunday afternoon.

Megan Konig helped the Sea Gulls (3-2) jump out to an early 5-0 lead with a jumper followed by a three-pointer, but the Cardinals (2-1) scored the next six points to take a 6-5 lead. After a Dalina Julien three-pointer, Catholic responded with a three of its own. Paige Bryce connected on a jump shot to give Salisbury a 10-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Catholic took the lead in the opening minutes of the second quarter, but Konig knocked down another jumper to give Salisbury the lead, and the Sea Gulls would not relinquish it. Salisbury ended the quarter on a 13-0 run and held the Cardinals to just three points in the quarter. Salisbury doubled up Catholic at the half, 24-12, while holding the Cardinals to just a 13.8 shooting percentage.

The maroon and gold continued its run in the third quarter, scoring the first six points. After a Catholic field goal, the Sea Gulls went on a 9-0 run to extend their lead to 39-14 midway through the quarter. The Cardinals ended the quarter on an 11-2 scoring run to bring the game to 41-25 at the end of three.

The Sea Gulls held the Cardinals under double-digit scoring in the fourth quarter, for the third time in the contest, allowing just nine points. Seven different players contributed to the 18 points in the quarter as Salisbury doubled up Catholic, leading to a 59-34 win.

Ten different players scored for the Sea Gulls in the game, led by Konig's team-high 16 points and eight rebounds. The Salisbury defense forced 26 turnovers, including five steals from Morgan Grubb, and held Catholic to just 21.4 percent shooting in the game.

Salisbury opens Capital Athletic Conference play on Wednesday, November 29, traveling to take on No. 2 Christopher Newport University at 5:30 p.m.