With the game tied at 69-69, a Schneider layup gave the Wildcats (3-3, 2-2 in the MIAC) a two-point lead with 54 seconds left. Later, the Wildcats would lead 73-71 with 13 seconds left when Allison Bratsch sent to the line. She would make 1 of 2 from the line, but the Pipers (2-3, 1-3) could get no closer.
Hamline jumped out to a 13-2 lead in the first 4:26 of the game. Senior forward Laurisa Ewert scored six points during the run. Ewert finished with 19 points on 7 of 15 shooting to lead the Pipers. Ashlee Senser added 14 points, and Kelly Lines chipped in 11 points off the bench.
The Wildcats were able to get back in the game with a 9-2 spurt. Guard Rachel Berglund hit back-to-back threes to pull the Wildcats with 20-17. St. Catherine would eventually take a 37-34 lead into the break.
No team would lead by more than five points the rest of the way.
Wildcat post player Jenna Martin added 15 points and 15 rebounds. Berglund had 11 points.
Hamline shot a sizzling 52 percent (13-25) in the first half, including 6 of 8 from Ewert. The Pipers shot 32 percent (12-38) in the second half.
St. Catherine was 36 percent (23-64) for the contest - 44 percent from behind the three-point line. The Wildcats were also 22 of 33 from the line in the contest.