University of St. Thomas Athletics
St. Catherine
Women's Basketball gets win over Wildcats
2/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Sophomore center DeJurnett Prioleau had 14 points and eight rebounds as the St. Thomas women's basketball team secured a conference playoff berth and a winning season with Wednesday night's 68-59 victory over visiting St. Catherine in MIAC play at UST's Schoenecker Arena.??
Sophomore forward Jessica Katch added 13 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for St. Thomas (14-10 overall, 13-9 MIAC), which improved to 9-2 at home this season. UST shot 44% from the field, made 16-of-20 free throws, and had a 39-30 rebounding edge. The Toms made 9-of-10 at the foul line in the final 2:03.??
Melissa Keiser scored 11 points and Sheena Porter Wrzos, Melissa Gotchnik and Chelsea Wirtz each scored eight points for the Tommies. ??
The Wildcats (14-10, 11-10) made nine 3-point baskets but never led in the second half. Rachel Berglund scored 14 points and Sarah Schneider had 13 points.??
St. Catherine still secured the school's first basketball playoff berth with Hamline's 73-37 loss Wednesday night to St. Benedict. The Wildcats have tie-breakers on Bethel and Hamline in case there's a sixth-place tie.??
Coach Ruth Sinn's Tommies have won seven of their last eight games and are in the postseason for the 20th time in 21 seasons. The Toms finish the regular season Saturday at first-place St. Benedict. A loss will drop UST to the fifth seed and a Tuesday night first-round game, most likely at Carleton. A Tommie win Saturday and a Gustavus win at Carleton would give UST the No. 4 seed and they would play at home vs. the Knights.??
UST used a 12-4 run to close the first half with a 29-28 lead. The Toms started the second half with a 9-2 run and never trailed. The Wildcats pulled within one point with 10:56 left and came within 59-56 with 1:41 left but the Toms put it away at the foul line.?
