The Hamline women's basketball team had a short window to celebrate Saturday's taut 80-78 home coirt over Gusatvus Adolphus. The game's afoot again this week with three games that could well decide if the Pipers will be playing past the February 16 season deadline.

Currently, HU controls its own fate. They take a four-game winning streak and a 10-7 MIAC mark (10-10 overall) into the matchup with the St. Catherine Wildcats, who stand 2-18 overall, 1-16 in the conference.

Game time at Butler Center is 7:30 p.m.

Hamline is in solo possession of sixth place, the league's final playoff spot. They are just a game behind the Gusties but also just one length of the Oles, who will come to Hutton Arena Wednesday night. (Gustavus hosts Macalester tonight while the Oles head across town to face rival Carleton.) 

Thus, the margin of error is still thin as the Pipers gun for their first postseason appearance since 2009. 

Hamline enters the game with the league's top two scorers in Steph Pilgrim (who had 23 points Saturday and is now averaging 16 points per game) and Jordan Sammons (14.8 ppg), who is also second in rebounds at 8.3. That pair led the way with 22 and 20 points respectively when HU defeated the Wildcats, 70-48 at Hutton Arena, Jan. 7. 

After tonight's game, HU plays three in a row at Hutton. In addition to the Oles' visit on Wednesday, league leader Concordia checks in Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. game. The Pipers finish the regular season next week against Bethel (Feb. 13 at home) and at Carleton, Feb. 16.