Box Score It was a heckuva comeback. it just came up a little short.

The HU women's basketball team, down by 12 points with just 3:20 remaining in the game, came within a basket of tying St. Mary's before dropping a 62-59 decision Monday night at Hutton Arena.

Kara Poirier and Jordan Sammons scored 16 apiece but the Pipers struggled from the field, connecting on just 23 og 69 shots for 33 per cent for the game. Still, they stayed in the game by forcing the Cardinals into 17 turnovers and hanging tight in rebounds. (SMU held a slight 41-39 edge).

Poirier, who nailed four three-pointers on the night, ignited the late rally with a trey with 3:12 left. SMU went up 59-48. 

Poirier, Je'Naya Brown and Steph Pilgrim sandwiched long distance shots around a SMU free Throw and it was 60-57 with 25 seconds left. The Cards hit a free throw but Brown responded with a basket to make it 61-59 with 12 seconds left. Again, SMU hit a single free throw to give the Pipers a last look. But a smothering SMU defense refused to let Hamline get a last shot.

The Pipers drop back into a sixth place tie with St. Olaf at 6-7 in the league. HU, 6-10 overall, is away from Hutton the rest of the week. They are at Augsburg Wednesday and travel to St. Thomas Saturday.