Pipers drop close contest to St. Benedict

It was a back-and-forth game for much of the first half.  After taking a 6-3 lead, the Pipers (12-11, 8-10 MIAC) slowed down and faced an 11-point deficit with 6:27 remaining in the half. 

Hamline then went on a 22-7 run, including back-to-back three-pointers by sophomore Britta Schwartzhoff and first-year Krystal Tschumperlin as time ran out, to put the Pipers up by four going into halftime.

Hamline came out firing after the break, scoring the first seven points of the second half to put the lead up to 11.  The Blazers fought back and gained the lead at 8:58 on a 3-pointer by junior Darby Noreen.  Hamline stayed within six points for the remainder of the game, but was unable to take back the lead. 

Senior Laurisa Ewert and junior Ashlee Senser each tallied 15 points for the Pipers, as well as eight rebounds for Ewert and five for Senser.  Junior Kelly Lines chipped in 10 points. 

The Blazers were led in scoring by junior Katie Kempe with 18 points.  They were playing without team and conference leading scorer Anna Heikenen.  

The Pipers will close out the regular season when they host Bethel on Wednesday night.  Game time is set for 5:45 pm.