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ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University and St. Thomas women's basketball teams entered Wednesday's Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game both boasting unblemished 3-0 conference records.

On paper, it was to be a true clash of the titans.

And after the game's opening 20 minutes, neither team had disappointed, as both teams took their turn in the driver's seat, before the Tommies settled for a one-point, 31-30 halftime advantage.

Over the final 20 minutes, however, the Cardinals couldn't find their offensive touch — and the Tommies took advantage, using a 21-2 run early in the second half to pull away for a 65-44 win at Schoenecker Arena.

Jamie Stefely (Lisle, Ill.) led the way for the Cardinals, pouring in 20 points and adding five rebounds, while Sara Schoenthaler (Hugo, Minn.) also scored in double figures, finishing with 11 points.

The Cardinals, thanks to 46 percent (13-for-28) shooting from the field in the opening half, led by as many five on three separate occasions — including 26-21 following a Stefely jumper with 5:55 remaining.

UST used a 10-4 run to take a one-point lead into the locker room at the break, and followed that up with a 21-2 run that pushed the Tommies' advantage to 51-35 — and the Cardinals never recovered.

After that 46 percent effort from the field in the first half, but Cardinals struggled to find their touch in the second, hitting just three field goals over the final 20 minutes in losing for the first time this season.

Jenna Dockter and Anna Smith each scored 15 points to lead the way for the Tommies, while Kelly Brandenburg chipped in 11 points.

The Cardinals (3-1 MIAC, 5-1 overall) are back in action on Saturday, traveling to St. Joseph, Minn., for a 3 p.m. conference game against Saint Benedict.