ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The St. Catherine University basketball team their home record to 8-3 with a 68-54 win over the visiting College of St. Scholastica Saints. Overall, the Wildcats are 12-10 with an MIAC record of 7-8.
Four players were in double digits for points on Wednesday evening led by sophomore
Hattie Fox adding 14 with four rebounds shooting 7 for 8 from the line. Rookie
Jordyn Peed had a 13 point night with two rebounds and one steal.
Emme Golembiewski and
Greta Schimnowski each added eleven points with Golembiewski contributing nine boards.
Both teams battled in a back-and-forth first quarter, trading baskets early. St. Scholastica grabbed momentum from behind the arc but St. Kate's responded with strong inside play from Schimnowski and Peed. The teams continued to exchange the lead, with the Saints hitting a late three to go up 16-15 before Peed's layup in the final minute put the Wildcats ahead 17-16 at the end of the quarter.
St. Kate's controlled much of the second quarter, extending the lead to as much as nine points. St. Scholastica fought back late, narrowing the gap with a fast-break layup followed by a good three-pointer. Schimnowski responded with a clutch three but the Saints closed the half with a jumper to keep the score within four at 31-27.
The Wildcats extended their lead in the third quarter, capitalizing on strong defensive plays and key scoring runs. Golembieswski and Peed contributed with crucial layups, while Fox added free throws and a three-pointer to widen the gap. The Saints struggled to convert from beyond the arc but managed to keep pace with occasional baskets but St. Kate's closed the quarter with a 14-point lead, 49-35.
St. Scholastica made a push in the start of the fourth quarter cutting the deficit to eleven but St. Kate's responded with back to back three's from Peed and
Rachel Randleman. St. Kate's maintained control from then capitalizing on turnovers and free throw opportunities securing the 68-54 victory.
The Wildcats travel to Minneapolis on Saturday to face Augsburg University at 1 pm. The team returns home for one final time on Wednesday, February 19 hosting Hamline University at 7 pm.
