ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Both the Wildcats and the Pipers had to earn every point on Saturday, as both teams' defenses were stifling. St. Kate's had a slight edge in shooting percentage for the game (38%-36%), but the Pipers won the turnover battle (21-12). The home team also got to the free-throw line 35 times, and converted 8 more foul shots than the Katies did.

The first half was a see-saw affair, with a number of ties and lead changes. At the end of the first quarter it was 14 all, and about halfway through the second quarter it was tied at 18.  A layup by Brooke Torvik near the end of the period gave the Wildcats a 4-point lead at the half.

The third quarter saw an energized Hamline squad score the first 11 points.  They led by 9 points with under 4 minutes left in the quarter when a 3-pointer by Sydney Elliot helped restore confidence to the visiting Wildcats.  It was the start of an 11-3 run that cut the deficit to just 1 point by the quarter's end.

Things stayed close for most of the final period. It was a 2-possession game for much of the fourth until Hamline hit a pair of free throws to go up by 7 with about three and a half minutes left. Two minutes later, a layup by Elliot cut the lead to 4-points, but the Wildcats never got any closer.

Elliot led Wildcat scorers with 15 points, with 9 of those coming from beyond the arc (going 3-for-4 from downtown).  Sam Orth contributed 7 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out.

The Wildcats' next game is February 14 at St. Ben's at 7pm.