ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The St. Catherine University basketball team fell 81-71 to No. 22 Concordia-Moorhead Wednesday night at the Butler Center, trading punches with one of the nation's top teams before the Cobbers pulled away in the second half.

After Concordia took a 19-16 edge after one, the Wildcats responded with a strong second quarter to even things at 37-37 heading into halftime. St. Kate's attacked the paint all night (36 points in the lane) and got a big lift from its guards in the middle quarters to keep the game tight.

Concordia created separation in the third, outscoring SCU 25-18 behind a barrage from deep and the all-around performance of Maya Metcalf, who finished with 32 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks, and four 3-pointers. The Cobbers ended the night with 13 threes and 22 assists, turning efficient ball movement into timely runs.

St. Catherine made one more push in the fourth. Lily Peper knocked down her fourth triple (16 points on 4-of-6 from three) to cut the deficit late, and Hattie Fox capped her 18-point night at the line in the closing seconds. Jordyn Peed added 15 points and a team-high three steals, while Kate Flicek chipped in 11 points and five assists.

St. Kate's will travel to St. Peter on Saturday, February 14 to face Gustavus Adolphus College and return to Butler Center in a week hosting the College of Saint Benedict Bennies on Wednesday, February 18.