Bratsch, Pipers take control in second half

Bratsch went 7 of 11 from the floor, including 5 of 7 from three-point range, to score her career-high in points.

After a 37-37 halftime tie, the Pipers (7-6, 4-5 in the MIAC) went on a 12-4 run to start the second half. Bratsch tallied five points during the run, starting the spurt with one of her three-pointers.

The Royals (9-4, 5-4) would shave the lead to four on three separate occasions, but the Pipers were there to answer - mostly by Bratsch.

With Hamline leading 53-49 with over 12 minutes left in the game, Bratsch hit a big three on the Pipers' next possession to increase the lead. That would be as close as Bethel would be the rest of the way.

Bratsch would again hit from three to give the Pipers their biggest lead of the night at 71-57 with 2:49 left in the game.

Senior Laurisa Ewert added 15 points on 5 of 10 shooting while junior Kelly Lines chipped in 14 points. Hamline shot 50 percent for the contest (27-54) - 56 percent in the second half (14-25).

The Royals were paced by Annegret Nautsch who tallied 10 points. She was the only Bethel player in double figures.

Early on, it looked like the Pipers would run away with the game early as Hamline went on a 15-3 spurt to start the game. However, the Royals would respond and eventually claimed a four point lead late in the half before the two teams went into halftime tied.

Hamline will host Concordia Wednesday night at Hutton Arena. Game time is set for 5:45 p.m.