Women's basketball secures postseason berth with 61-60 win

Trailing by a single point, Bethel (13-11, 8-11 in the MIAC) attempted to inbound the ball from the side, but the Pipers (13-11, 9-10) deflected the pass that ended up in the hands of senior Laurisa Ewert. The Royals never got a shot off in their final chance.

The Hamline win along with St. Catherine's loss to St. Olaf gave the Pipers the fifth seed in the MIAC Playoffs. They will travel to #4 Carleton Monday night in the first round of the playoffs.

The Pipers led for the first 35 minutes of the game after staking a 12-0 lead to open the game. However, the Royals whittled the lead to 29-27 at halftime and took a 54-53 lead on a Heather Davis basket with 5:02 to play.

The game was eventually tied at 59-59 before Ewert hit a pair of free throws with 1:04 left. They proved to be the game winners as Emily Uzpen missed the front end of the double bonus on the Royals next possession.

Hamline ran the game clock down under 10 seconds before the Royals called a timeout to set up the final play.

Senior Carolyn Korchik led the way for Hamline with 16 points on 7 of 14 shooting, including 10 points in the first half. Ewert finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and five steals. Junior Ashlee Senser score 12 points.

The Pipers shot 43 percent for the game (26-60) while holding the Royals to a 33 percent clip (18-55).

Annegret Nautsch netted a game-high 22 points for Bethel on 5 of 11 shooting from the floor and 12 of 16 from the free throw line. She also grabbed 12 rebounds. Heather Davis added 12 points.

The Pipers will close out the regular season Saturday afternoon at Concordia. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.