A shot from outside the arc from the Cardinals’ Michelle Carne (Fy., Escanaba, Mich.) put Saint Mary’s on the scoreboard first, and the two team exchanged several two- and three-point advantages throughout the opening 20 minutes of play.

In the final four minutes of the first half, the Cardinals stretched out their lead to 29-20. The Pipers’ responded with a converted three-point play from Mary Wilkowski (So., Savannah, Ga.) and a pair of free throws by Jackie Kelly (So., Blaine, Minn.) to trail by four, 29-25, at the half.

The Cardinals held onto that lead for several minutes in the second half, but the Pipers picked away at their advantage on the scoreboard. With a three-pointer from Jessica Heinen (Sr., Spicer, Minn.), the hosts tied the game just under seven minutes into the half. Wilkowski then nailed a jumper to regain the lead at 41-39 with under ten minutes to play.

Hamline took off from there, staying ahead of the Cardinals for the remainder of the contest to keep them winless on the season, earning the 64-51 victory.

The Pipers’ lead was extended in the final minutes on the strength of strong shooting from the line by Britta Schwarthoff (Sr., Hayward, Wis.) and Nikki Klinck (So., Hibbing, Minn.), as well as a Klinck three-pointer.

The Pipers were led by Heinen’s 16 points, while Wilkowski added 12 and Kelly had 10 points.

Jess Miller (So., Carver, Minn.) led the visitors with 16 points, while Carne has 12 and Cherie Kulig (So., Independence, Wis.) added 11.

Hamline shot 14-for-16 from the free throw line in the game, including a perfect 4-for-4 performance from Schwartzhoff at the line in the final minute.

The Pipers now stand at 7-4, 4-4 MIAC with the conference win. The Cardinals drop to 0-10, 0-7 MIAC. Hamline will remain home for their second straight conference contest, hosting Gustavus in a women’s-men’s double-header on Saturday, January 10. The women’s game will start at 1:00 p.m.