Game Summary

ST. PAUL, Minn. — After opening the season with an impressive 6-2 overall record — including a 4-1 mark in their first five Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference games — Saint Mary's University women's basketball coach Kim Fierke was hoping the Cardinals would pick up right where they left off when they returned from a three-week Christmas layoff Wednesday at league-leading St. Thomas.

After all, a win over the Tommies would certainly get the Cardinals' off on the right foot.

Unfortunately, SMU played like they had two left feet against the Tommies, as UST got double-figure scoring from four different players en route to a lopsided 79-62 victory.

The Cardinals (4-2 MIAC, 6-3 overall) shot 52 percent from the field, but still trailed by 13 as the Tommies (6-0 MIAC, 8-1 overall) shot a blistering 62 percent from the field in grabbing a 46-33 halftime advantage. The Tommies' red-hot hands cooled off the in the second, as UST hit just 9 of its 27 field goal attempts. Problem was, as cold as the Tommies' were from the field, the Cardinals were even colder, hitting just seven field goal attempts and scoring just 29 second-half points.

Stacy Hammel (Manitowoc, Wis.) led the way for the Cardinals, collecting 17 points and 12 rebounds. Amy Burns (Winona, Minn.) also scored in double figures with 15 points.

Kristi Huegel's 18 points and Missy Pederson's 15 led four St. Thomas players in double figures.