Northfield, Minn. – Megan Vig (Sr./Northfield, Minn.) tallied 16 points and 13 rebounds as Carleton College won for the ninth time in the last 10 games in beating the College of St. Catherine, 66-52.
The Knights (14-8, 12-5 MIAC) clinched at least one home MIAC Playoff game with the victory, as they are assured of finishing in the top four of the conference standings.
Sarah Kunelius (Fy./Eagan, MInn.) matched her career high with 13 points, canning 3-of-5 from three-point range. Hannah Oken-Berg (Fy./Portland, Ore./Lincoln) added nine points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots and Sarah Lincoln (Fy./Rockford, Minn.) had seven points and six rebounds.
Sarah Schneider paced the Wildcats (9-14, 7-11 MIAC) with 17 points. Sara Schafhauser added 11 points for the Wildcats, who lost for the 13th consecutive time at West Gym.The Knights used a 45-28 rebounding advantage, including 17 offensive boards, to generate an 18-7 spread in second-chance points. The Knights matched a season-high with seven 3-pointers but shot a season-worst 36 percent from the floor. Carleton held St. Catherine to 39 percent, marking the 10th straight time the Knights have held an opponent to less than 40 percent shooting.
Carleton used a 14-5 spurt to break free from the Wildcats, with Lincoln scoring seven during the stretch. The Knights finished the half on a 10-2 run, capped by a Vig triple to lead 40-24 at the break.
The Knights maintained a double-digit lead for the entire second half, cruising to their seventh home win in eight games in staying a game back of Concordia and Gustavus for second place in the MIAC standings. The Cobbers were upset by Augsburg while the Gusties were victorious over St. Olaf.
Carleton returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 11, hosting rival St. Olaf College at 1 p.m. The Wildcats are off until Wednesday, Feb. 15, when they host St. Olaf College at 7:30 p.m.
