DUBUQUE, IOWA -- The St. Catherine University basketball team opened the 2023-24 season in Dubuque, Iowa at the Loras College Mike Molstead Tip Off Classic on Friday evening against the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles. The Wildcats were downed by the Eagles 82-71 and will face Edgewood College on Saturday. 

Rookie Hattie Fox led the Wildcats in the opener posting 21 points along with six rebounds while going 10 for 11 at the free throw line. Greta Schimnowski and Emme Golembiewski each had seven boards and nine points while Rachel Randleman had nine points and three rebounds. 

The UW-La Crosse outscored St. Kate's in the first quarter taking a quick 21-11 lead. They posted their best quarter in the second shooting 52 percent and taking a 47-26 lead going into the half. 

St. Kate's dominated in the third quarter with a FG percentage of 50 and going 2 for 4 from the charity line while outscoring the Eagles 28-24. The Wildcats closed out the final ten minutes of play inching back scoring 17 points to the Eagles eleven. 

St. Catherine will play Saturday, November 11 in Dubuque again facing Edgewood College.