Box Score The St. Catherine University basketball team hoped it could open the 2014 portion of the season with a critical Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) win against Augsburg College. But despite staying close through most of the first half, the Auggies pulled away in the second hlf to hand the Wildcats a 63-49 loss Saturday afternoon at Si Melby Hall in Minneapolis.
 
The Auggies used a 43.8 percent shooting night from the field and a 20-point performance from Abbey Luger to shut down any chance for a Wildcat win. After Augsburg pulled out to an early lead, the Wildcats appeared they might keep the game close as they were down just 21-20 with 3:18 to play in the first half.
 
However, the Auggies managed to slowly pull away with a 30-24 lead at halftime. The Wildcats were then able to come within five points of the Auggies early in the second half before eventually suffering a loss to open the new year.
 
Off the bench, Kennedy Jennings (Des Moines, Iowa) had a career-best performance to lead the Wildcats on the night. She went 5-for-9 from the floor and poured in a team-best 12 points. The first-year also led the team with five rebounds and three steals.
 
Senior Kristen Lee (Dawson, Minn.) also had a strong performance offensively as she made every shot she took on the night for seven points, while Sarah Manning (Page, Ariz.) was also extremely efficient as she went 2-for-3 and added another point from the free throw line. Manning also added four rebounds and had a team-high three assists.
 
Abby Torgerson (Anoka, Minn.) matched Lee's point total with seven and Manning's three assists, while LaShay Holt (Minneapolis, Minn.) added six points – both of which came from 3-point range – and four rebounds.
 
With the loss the Wildcats, fall to 2-6 on the season and 1-4 in MIAC play. The Wildcats' game scheduled for Monday evening against Hamline University has been postponed until a later date due to anticipated inclement weather. The next action for the Wildcats will be Wednesday evening against Saint Mary's University. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Butler Center.

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