Junior center Kaitlin Langer had 27 points and 17 rebounds and keyed a game-closing 12-2 run as No. 12-ranked St. Thomas outlasted neighborhood rival St. Catherine, 72-67, in MIAC women's basketball play Saturday at Schoenecker Arena.

The Tommies (16-3 overall, 10-2 MIAC) have won six in a row and avenged one of their three season defeats.They maintain a share of the MIAC lead with St. Mary's, one game ahead of Concordia and Gustavus.

The Toms shot 52 percent in the second half (13-of-25) and used a 48-28 rebounding advantage to help offset 18 turnovers.

The Wildcats (9-9, 4-8) took a 65-60 lead with 3:11 left on LaShay Holt's 3-point basket. But Lauren Fischer's trey and two Langer inside baskets put the Toms ahead to stay at 67-65.

Paige Gernes (3-of-4) and Langer (2-of-2) helped ice the game at the foul line in the final 25 seconds, and the UST defense stopped SCU on five of its last six possessions.

UST's Katie Stone had 14 points while Fischer added nine points and eight rebounds.

Holt had 18 points, seven boards and three steals for SCU.