Box Score After winning just one Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) game a year ago, it seemed nearly improbable that the St. Catherine University basketball team would be able to defeat perrenial powerhouse College of Saint Benedict in the 2013-14 conference opener on the road. The last time the Wildcats defeated the Blazers came seven seasons ago by a score of 64-53 on Jan. 13, 2007 at the Butler Center. That season, the Wildcats went 15-11 overall and 12-10 in the MIAC. 

But after surrendering a 10-point lead after halftime, this year's Wildcats managed to overcome a seven-point deficit with less than six minutes to play to hand the Blazers their first loss of the season 70-69 Wednesday evening at Claire Lynch Hall in St. Joseph, Minn. 

En route to victory, the Wildcats had three players reach double-digit point totals and shot an impressive 52.3 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from beyond the arc. Gabby Zehrer (Rogers, Minn.) was nearly unstoppable as she posted a game and career-high 24 points – 18 of which came in the first half where the Wildcats shot 60 percent from the field. She was 8-of-18 from the field and also had a team-high seven rebounds and four steals. 

Zehrer helped the Wildcats take a five-point lead in the game's opening minutes before building a 12-point lead with 35 seconds to play in the first half. After carrying a 40-30 lead into half-time, the Wildcats appeared to be in control of the game.

But the Blazers weren't going to be counted out as they went on a 22-7 run to tie the game at 50-50 with 13:23 left in the game. The Wildcats then found themselves down 64-57 with 5:53 to play. The Wildcats clawed their way back, though, and tied the game 67-67 with a minute and a half left. 

Abby Torgerson (Anoka, Minn.) then gave the Wildcats a two-point lead with 23 seconds remaining before Mari Lee (Dawson, Minn.) added a free throw for a three-point lead with four seconds left. The Blazers would manage to add two points with a second left, but it wasn't enough as the Wildcats matched their win total from a season ago with their second win of the season and first MIAC victory.

LaShay Holt (Minneapolis, Minn.) and Kristen Lee (Dawson, Minn.) added to the Wildcats offensive attack as they both reached the double-digit scoring mark. Holt came off the bench to score 16 points, went 5-for-8 from the field and pulled in six rebounds. This was Holt's third double-digit scoring performance so far this year, while senior captain Kristen Lee added 10 points  – her first double-digit total of the year – and shot 50 percent from 3-point range. 

Sarah Manning (Page, Ariz.) also was a big contributor for the Wildcats as she didn't miss a single shot all night. The junior scored seven points as she was 2-for-2 from both the field and behind the free throw line. She also knocked down one of the Wildcats' seven 3-point shots.

Torgerson finished the game with six points and three rebounds, while Mari Lee and Liz Ellens (Sauk Centre, Minn.) each added three points. Zehrer and Holt are now both in the top 20 in the MIAC for scoring averaging 15.2 and 12.8 points per game, respectively. 

Leading the way for the Blazers was Brianna Barrett with 19 points, while Morgan Dale posted a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. 

The Wildcats return home for their MIAC home opener Saturday as they take on the No.13-ranked University of St. Thomas. Tip off is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Butler Center. 

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