The win allowed Carleton (16-1, 13-1 MIAC) to move into a first-place tie with sixth-ranked the College of St. Benedict in the MIAC standings, as the Blazers lost in overtime at Concordia College, Moorhead, tonight, 77-76.
The Knights used an 18-4 first-half run to stretch their lead to double figures midway through the half. The Knights led by as many as 15 points in the stanza before settling for a 41-31 halftime lead.
The Wildcats (6-11, 4-10 MIAC) opened the second half on a quick 8-2 spurt, pulling within four. Carleton responded, quickly pushing the lead back to nine points. The Wildcats wouldn't die, however, using a quick 8-2 spurt to get within 58-55 on a Katie Jones three-pointer with 6:26 left. From that point on, however, Carleton was dominant, scoring the next eight points to put the game out of reach.
Kristi Colbenson tallied 10 points and eight rebounds for Carleton. St. Catherine had three players in double figures scoring, led by Jenna Martin's 11 points and 14 rebounds. Sarah Schneider also tallied 11 points off the bench and Natalie Lyzhoft chipped in with 10 points and six assists.
Carleton shot only 40 percent (27-for-68) from the floor but held the Wildcats to a similar 40 percent clip (26-for-65). The Knights forced 22 turnovers by St. Catherine and held a 23-13 edge in points off turnovers.