Amber Darge started a 9-0 run over a 61-second third-quarter span with a pair of 3-point baskets to ignite No. 20-ranked St. Thomas in Tuesday night's 68-55 home defeat of St. Catherine in a first-round MIAC playoff game at Schoenecker Arena.

The third-seed Tommies (21-5) are 14-2 since New Year's Day. This marks the program's 18th consecutive conference playoff victory over nine seasons. Coach Ruth Sinn's team recorded a 43-31 edge in rebounds and sank 6-of-10 from 3-point range in the final two quarters.

St. Thomas plays Thursday night at No. 2-seed Augsburg in the semifinal round.

Shayla Walling had 16 points and nine rebounds to pace the Tommies. Brynne Rolland had 15 points and nine boards, and Macy Hatlestad added 12 points, six rebounds and six assists. Darge scored nine of her 12 points in the second half.

The Wildcats (12-14) led 33-30 early in the third quarter before Darge's two baskets and a three-point play by Wallin put St. Thomas ahead to stay. That started a 31-11 run as the home team built a 17-point lead midway through the final quarter.

Danica Cambrice scored 16 points and Jackie Radford had 11 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists to lead St. Catherine.