By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
WINONA, Minn. — It wasn't quite the start that Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's basketball coach David Foley was hoping for Saturday evening in the Cardinals' exhibition game against Winona State.
 
The Warriors Kayla Schaffer knocked down back-to-back baskets to spark a 12-0 game-opening Winona State run.
 
And no matter how hard the Cardinals tried to climb out of that 12-point hole, they just could not quite get over the hump, as Winona State hung on to beat Saint Mary's 81-54 at McCown Gym.
 
Despite falling behind 12-0, the Cardinals' offense came to life, cutting the deficit to six, 19-13, before the opening quarter ended. The Warriors, however, were just heating up, as Winona State outscored Saint Mary's 21-12 in the second 10-minute period to take a 40-25 lead into the locker room at the half.
 
Saint Mary's once again had its climbing gear on in the third quarter, whittling the Warrior lead to 10, 54-44, heading into the final quarter. Over that 10-minute stretch, however, WSU took control, erupting for 27 points in outscoring Saint Mary's 27-10 to ice the victory.
 
Jada Biermeier (Eau Claire, Wis.) led the way for the Cardinals, scoring 10 points, while Brooklyn Paulson (Holmen, Wis.) had nine and Ewelina Schlomann (New Berlin, Wis.) added eight.
 
Allie Pickrain led three Warriors in double figures, scoring a team-high 16 points, with Emma Fee chipping in 12 and Schaffer adding 10.
 
The Cardinals officially kick off their season on Nov. 16-17, when they travel to St. Joseph, Minn., to take part in the Saint Benedict Tournament. Saint Mary's will face Simpson at 6 p.m. on Friday, before squaring off against Nebraska Wesleyan in a 1 p.m. matchup the following day.