ST. JOSEPH, Minn. -- St. Kate's and St. Ben's entered the second half of the season with identical conference records of 7-4—tied with Hamline in MIAC standings behind Bethel, Gustavus, and Concordia. Two weeks prior, the Wildcats pulled off a dramatic fourth quarter comeback against the Bennies. But Wednesday night, they couldn't overcome a difficult night of shooting (hitting only 24% from the floor). On a positive note,
Sam Orth continued her impressive season, leading all scorers with 19 points, including 3-5 on threes and 6-6 from the line.
The game started with both teams struggling to score. More than 8 minutes after the tip, Sophia Jonas hit her second three-pointer giving the Bennies a modest 7-4 lead. After another bucket by the Bennies, some free throws by Orth with 30 seconds left made it 9-6 after one quarter. A layup and a three put the home team up by 8 points, a minute into the second.
Sam Orth hit some free throws and then a three-pointer to cut the lead to 5 points, halfway through the frame. However, a 7-0 St. Ben's run extended their lead to a dozen. A
Maddie Young jumper and a pair of free throws by
Kaylee Miron made the score 23-15 at the half.
Things were looking good for the Wildcats early in the third.
Rachel Randleman drove to the hoop and dropped a pass for
Sam Orth who converted to make it a 5-point game. After a CSB layup, Orth hit back-to-back threes to make the score 23-25 halfway through the quarter. But then an 11-1 run by the Bennies pushed their lead back to 12 by the end of the period. When their lead hit 21 points with 7:15 left in the closing quarter, the game fell out of reach. As a bright spot for the St. Kate's offense, Sydney Elliot heated up near the end, hitting a pair of three pointers.
The Wildcats return to the Butler Center to take on St. Scholastica on Saturday the 21
st at 3 pm.
