In what was a short week, the St. Catherine University basketball team made the most of its final two non-conference games before opening up Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play this week. Thanks in large part to strong play from sophomore Mari Lee (Dawson, Minn./Dawson-Boyd), the Wildcats picked up two wins over Crown College and North Central University to improve to 4-1 for its best start in five years. For her efforts, Lee has been named the Wildcat Athlete of the Week.Â
In the Wildcats' win over Crown Monday, it took an all-around team effort to post a 60-40 victory. However, in just 14 minutes played, Lee collected five poitns going 2-for-3 from the field. She also added a steal in the win.Â
Lee heated up the following night, though, as she came off the bench for a career- and team-high 13 points. The Rams couldn't find an answer for Lee in the paint as she was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field. The sophomore also collected a four rebounds and an assist. She finished the week averaging nine points per game and a remarkable 88.9 shooting percentage.Â
This season, Lee is third on the team in scoring (9.0 ppg) and leads the team in shooting percentage (62.1). Her impressive shooting percentage also ranks second in the MIAC.Â
Lee and the rest of the Wildcats open up conference play Wednesday night at home against Bethel University at 7 p.m. before traveling to Gustavus Adolphus College for a 3 p.m. contest Saturday afternoon.Â