ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The St. Catherine University basketball team downs the Bethel University Royals in their fourth win of the season. The conference win is the first defeat of the Royals since December 3, 2014 and the team's just second win over the Royals since before 2008. With a final score of 58-53, the Wildcats now sit with an overall MIAC record of 3-2.

The Wildcats were untouchable in the first quarter as they quickly took the lead and pulled ahead for a 20 point finish. With 6 steals, the Wildcats didn't make it easy as the Bethel royals tried to hold on. Heading into second, St. Kate's kept their distance and blazed through for a 11 point lead as they finished the first half with a score of 40-21. 

Coming out of the half, the Royals scored 14 points to inch closer to St. Kate's who only racked in eight. In the final quarter, Bethel tested the Wildcats as they quickly pulled themselves up early in the quarter. Digging deep, St. Kate's held strong and kept just ahead to finish with a final score of 58-53.

Hattie Fox was the lead scorer for the Wildcats with 18 points for her seventh straight double-digits performance and also contributing five steals and four rebounds. Closely behind was Greta Schimnowski with 12 points, four steals and three assists, and Rachel Randleman with eleven points. Defensively, Emme Golembieswski carried with nine rebounds, four blocks, plus one assist and steal while Zezza contributed three steals to help the Wildcats to victory. Golembieswski leads all players in the MIAC in blocks this season with 19 total to average 3.17 per game, ranking her eleventh in Division III. 

The St. Catherine basketball team will return Saturday, December 9 where they will face the No. 13 ranked Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties.