Heinen scores 18 as Pipers fall to Gusties

Hamline and Gustavus changed leads several times early in the game, until the Pipers pulled ahead by as many as 10 points with eight minutes to play in the opening period.

The host Gusties rallied, however, taking over the lead at 29-28 with 1:47 to play in the first half, and built upon the lead to 34-28 heading into the locker room.

The Pipers opened the second half with two successful free throws from Mary Wilkowski (Fy., Savannah, Ga.), who had 10 points and six rebounds in the game.

After Gustavus built their lead back up to eight, Heinen sank a three-pointer to shrink the advantage to five. But the Pipers couldn't get any closer, as Gustavus built a lead of up to 15 points in the second half before Hamline's Rochelle Sather (So., Andover, Minn.) made a three-pointer and Shelby Hyllengren (Sr., Cannon Falls, Minn.) made a free throw to cut the final lead to seven points.

Heinen went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in scoring her 18 points. Grace Weinreich (Jr., Wahkon, Minn.) also scored 10 points for the Pipers.

The Pipers' record falls to 7-5, 4-5 MIAC. They return home on Saturday, January 19 to host St. Benedict at 3:00 p.m. in Hutton Arena.