Having moved into undisputed possession of a playoff spot (for now), the Piper women's basketball team is facing a hectic week in which they will engage two of the five teams ahead of them in the MIAC standings.

First up: St. Mary's, owners of a 9-3 record conference mark that places them in a flatfooted tie with St. Benedict for fourth place in the loop, comes to Hutton Arena Monday for a 7:30 p.m. encounter.

A lot has happened since the teams faced each other in Winona on December 3. That night, Kara Poirier led the team with 13 points and Steph Pilgrim chipped in with a dozen in a 62-53 loss. But that was the final game of a tough 0-5 start for the Pipers. They won their next game against Augsburg at home and have gone on to a 6-6 MIAC mark (6-9 overall), good for sixth place in the league. 

HU comes in off a solid 71-63 win over Carleton last Saturday. Four Pipers scored in double digits, led by Jordan Sammons' 23 points and 17 rebounds. (The latter figure was the most by a HU women hoopster in six years and the second best total statiscally in the books.)  

The Pipers play thrice this week. On Wednesday, they have a road rematch with Augsburg (3-9, 5-10 overall). Next Saturday, they have another road test -- at St. Thomas, currently rated No. 12 in the country and in first place in the conference with a 11-1 standard.