The task is simple but formidable. Hamline's women's basketball teams can tie a 27-year old record and earn a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2009 in one felled swoop this afternoon at Hutton Arena.

Standing in their way is Concordia, who merely is tied for first place in the MIAC.

The Pipers (12-7 MIAC, 12-10 overall) are tied for fifth with Gustavus with a week to play in the season. They won their sixth game in a row -- the longest streak since the school record seven straight in 1986 -- on Wednesday with a pulsating 69-64 decision over St. Olaf. A win today (or an Ole loss at Augsburg) would seal the deal and place the team picked for ninth in the preseason into the postseason.

Naturally, HU would prefer to go in the front door. The Cobbers (16-3, 17-5) figure to have something to say about that.

When the teams met a month ago in Moorhead, Hamline scored the final 13 points of overtime to waltz off with a 73-66 decision. Steph Pilgrim fired in 29 points, including five three-pointers, to lead the way. The senior has been leading ever since. Her current 16.0 points per game is tops in the MIAC

The Cobbers shook off their lone home defeat to rattle off eight straight wins, a streak that was amputated last Wednesday with a loss at St. Ben's that dropped them back into a tie for the top with the Blazers.

So, this one has the makings of a playoff game 10 days before the actual postseason begins. Game time is 1:00 p.m. But the tension may start mounting when the players get up for breakfast.