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Hamline, meanwhile, continued to add to their score, but at a slower pace than at the beginning of the game. Bethel took a time-out with 4:08 left in the first half, and it was from here that the game began to shift. Bethel came out and, with the help of a few Hamline turnovers, hit two three-pointers in a row. As Hamline began to come temporarily unglued, Bethel picked up the pace, and by the last 40 seconds of the first half, Bethel had tied up the game at 27-27. Hamline was able to tally one more field goal at the end of the half, making the score 29-27 as the teams headed to the locker room.

Both teams came out pretty strong in the second half. Eight minutes in the Pipers led 40-30. By the time the clock had ticked down to the last ten minutes of the game, the game got very physical. The play became fast and aggressive.

Bethel slowly cut away their deficit. With 9:50 left on the clock, the score was within six points, and by 6:40 it was within three. The game got more intense and exciting as it entered the last six minutes of the game. Bethel found themselves within one point of Hamline, and for the rest of the game the two teams were neck and neck.

The score inched higher with Carolyn Korchik’s help, including a reverse lay-up and four free-throw line attempts. Bethel’s Annegret Nautsch, who had a strong showing throughout the game, answered them all, though, and the game was tied at 59-59 with only a few minutes left to play. Soon thereafter, Laurisa Ewert sunk two free throws to put the Pipers up by two, 61-59. Bethel’s Nautsch made one free throw and brought her team within one point. With only eight seconds left on the clock, Hamline had possession and a chance to increase their lead, but couldn’t capitalize, giving Bethel one final shot at the win with 2.7 seconds left on the clock. Bethel missed their chance at a shot as Hamline knocked away Bethel’s poor inbound pass, and the win went to the Pipers.

Korchick was Hamline’s leading scorer with 16 points. Senior Ewert had 15 points, five steals, and grabbed 12 rebounds. Junior Ashlee Senser added 12 points to the Piper total.

Bethel’s Nautsch scored the game high 22 points, 12 of which were from the free throw line, and pulled down 12 rebounds. Hamline out-shot, out-scored, and out-rebounded Bethel in the game. Bethel, though, was much better from the free throw line and had less turnovers. Still, the Piper women came away with the win. And not only did the players enjoy the game, the fans had a blast as well. Even President Linda Hanson was in attendance Wednesday night, getting caught up in the excitement. After the game, she congratulated the team and Coach Melissa Young-Kruse on their win.