ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The St. Catherine University basketball team returned to action on Saturday afternoon inside Butler Center hosting Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) foe, the Hamline University Pipers. St. Kate's struggled to sustain offense across four quarters, falling 70–53 to Hamline dropping to 5-6 overall with an 0-4 conference standing. 

The Wildcats were competitive early and traded scores throughout the opening quarter. Hattie Fox provided an early spark in transition and from the perimeter, and St. Catherine stayed within striking distance despite cold shooting stretches. After one, Hamline held a narrow 19–17 lead.

The game shifted in the second quarter. Hamline's defensive pressure disrupted St. Catherine's rhythm, leading to turnovers and limited shot opportunities. The Wildcats managed just seven points in the quarter, while Hamline connected from the outside and pushed the margin to 42–24 by halftime.

St. Catherine showed more balance coming out of the break but was unable to string together extended runs. Fox and Elle Covey each knocked down threes in the third quarter, and the Wildcats generated second-chance opportunities on the offensive glass. However, Hamline continued to answer with timely perimeter shots and maintained control heading into the fourth.

The Wildcats played their most efficient quarter in the final 10 minutes, outscoring Hamline 17–12. Kristen Oberle hit a three early in the period, and St. Catherine was more deliberate attacking the paint and getting to the free-throw line. The late push trimmed the margin but never fully threatened the outcome. 

St. Kate's is on the road Wednesday traveling to Minneapolis, Minnesota for a 7 pm MIAC game at Augsburg University. They return home on Saturday, January 10 hosting Gustavus Adolphus College at 1 pm.