Box Score In its last matchup with Saint Mary's University, the St. Catherine University basketball team allowed its opponent to open the second half with a huge run and pull away for a disappointing 77-47 victory in favor of the Cardinals. The Wildcats hoped it could limit any big runs and hold the 20th-ranked Cardinals close in hopes of a late-season Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) upset.
Despite a strong first half shooting, the Wildcats couldn't maintain that momentum in the final 20 minutes or slow down the hot Cardinal offense in suffering a tough 66-36 MIAC loss Wednesday evening at the SMU Gym in Winona, Minn.
The Cardinals opened up the game with an early lead, but the Wildcats went on a 11-2 run to take a 11-7 lead near the halfway mark of the first half. Despite shooting 42 percent from the field and out-rebounging the Cardinals, the Wildcats had 14 turnovers and found themselves down 25-19 heading into the break.
The Wildcats allowed the Cardinals to break away early into the second half and shot just 20 percent from the field. They also committed a season-high 28 turnovers in the game and allowed the Cardinals to shoot 48 percent in the second half en route to victory.
Kristen Lee (Dawson, Minn.) opened the game with one of her strongest halves of the season going 4-for-6 from the field to lead the Wildcats with nine points. She finished the game with a game-high 12 points and team-best seven rebounds. She also hit both of the Wildcats' made 3-pointers on the night. This was the senior's seventh double-digit scoring performance of the season and her second-straight.
LaShay Holt (Minneapolis, Minn.) had six points and three rebounds, while
Shauna Horsch (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) added four points, four rebounds and a team-best three assists.
Abby Torgerson (Anoka, Minn.) added a team-best three steals.
Courtney Eurle led the way for the Cardinals with 11 points, while Bridget Pethke and Octavia Brown each added 10 to help the Cardinals to their 17th MIAC win of the season.
The Wildcats will look to pick up a win and MIAC season sweep of Macalester College Saturday as they head across town for a 3 p.m. tip off in the Leonard Center.
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