REDLANDS, Calif. -- The St. Catherine University basketball team opened the 2024-25 season at the University of Redlands on Friday falling to the Bulldogs 60-45. 

Sophomore Hattie Fox led the Wildcats with 15 points and six boards ahead of Lily Peper adding eight. Fox went 7 for 10 from the free throw line while Kaylee Miron and Kristen Oberle each shot 100 percent from the charity line. Emme Golembiewski and Greta Schimnowski led defensively with nine and eight rebounds, respectively. Schimnowski posted seven points, one block and one steal, while Jordyn Peed recorded a team best five steals. 

In the first quarter, Redlands established an early lead over St. Catherine. St. Catherine initially scored on a layup by Greta Schimnowski, but Redlands quickly responded with consistent scoring, including jumpers from AJ Wick and Colbi Zorich. Zorich's defense and fast breaks fueled Redlands' momentum, while Aliyah Anderson contributed to Redlands' lead with strong rebounds and a key jumper. St. Catherine struggled with turnovers, giving Redlands additional scoring opportunities. The quarter concluded with a three-pointer from Kayden Sanders, giving Redlands a 15-5 advantage at the end of the first.

St. Catherine tried to narrow the deficit in the second quarter, with Hattie Fox scoring a jumper, assisted by Maddie Young. Despite St. Catherine's attempts, Redlands held control, ending the quarter with steady scoring and defensive rebounds to maintain a comfortable advantage.

Despite some defensive efforts from St. Catherine, Redlands extended their lead through consistent free throws and inside shots, including a jump shot by Colbi Zorich, assisted by Leila Hosn. St. Catherine had moments of defense, with Emme Golembieswski blocking a shot and Hattie Fox collecting rebounds, but Redlands' scoring momentum kept them firmly in control. St. Catherine managed to add points through free throws and a late jumper by Lily Peper, ending the quarter with Redlands up by 24.

In the fourth quarter, St. Catherine fought to narrow Redlands' lead but faced challenges as Redlands maintained strong defensive play and consistent scoring. Lily Peper opened the quarter with a three-pointer, cutting the lead to 22, but Redlands quickly responded with key plays by Leaya McKinney and Alex Facelo, who contributed with steals and layups. Hattie Fox stepped up for St. Catherine with several free throws and a jump shot in the paint, narrowing the gap. However, Redlands continued to capitalize on turnovers, with Colbi Zorich and AJ Wick adding points through layups and free throws. A late three-pointer by Greta Schimnowski brought St. Catherine within 14, followed by a fastbreak layup by Jordyn Peed. Despite these efforts, Redlands closed out the game with a steady lead, winning by 13.

St. Catherine faces Chapman University on Saturday in Orange, California. The Wildcats return to Minnesota to host the University of Wisconsin-River Falls on November 16.