MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – In their third straight road non-conference game, the Hamline University women's basketball team (3-0) once again found a way to get it done, coming away with a 77-60 win over North Central.
The Pipers were led by a 20-point effort from
Reilly Geistfeld, who also added a team-leading six rebounds, as well as two steals. The senior shot 46.6% from the field, including going a perfect 3-3 from deep.
Senior
Kaeli Stayer and sophomore
Sophie Findell also put up double-digit points for HU. Stayer compiled 11 points to go along with three steals and four assists and Findell recorded 10 points as well as five rebounds, five assists, and three steals for a well-rounded performance.
Hamline forced an impressive 28 North Central turnovers throughout the game, tallying 17 steals and holding a 20-9 advantage in points off turnovers.
The Pipers got off to a good start in the first quarter, taking a 9-0 lead four minutes into the game. The Rams worked their way back, however, making it a three-point game (18-15) with a minute left in the quarter. Geistfeld scored five straight points to end the quarter, though, giving Hamline an eight-point lead after the first ten minutes.
In the second quarter, the Pipers continued to build up their lead, finishing the half on a 12-3 scoring run to take an 18-point lead into the break, with the score at 43-25.
HU held onto a double-digit lead for the duration of the third quarter, but the Rams scored six of the last seven points to cut the Hamline lead to 12 (61-49) heading into the final frame.
North Central kept up that momentum in the start of the fourth, hitting a three to make it a nine-point game with nine minutes left. The Rams would get within eight, but from here the Pipers took over once again with Findell scoring seven straight points to push the lead to 15. Hamline would hold onto a fairly comfortable lead for the rest of the contest, eventually earning the 77-60 decision.
The Pipers will open their MIAC season this Saturday, as they travel to Bethel to take on the Knights at 3:00 p.m. The HU men's team will play right before the women, with their game starting at 1:00 p.m.
