ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Hamline women's basketball team (3-1, 0-1 MIAC) was handed their first loss of the season today, falling to Bethel (4-0, 1-0 MIAC) 79-67 on the road.
 
The Pipers hung with the Royals, taking over the lead for a brief point in the fourth quarter, only to see Bethel finish the game strong, making all eight of their free-throws down the stretch to pull out the win.
 
First year Lydia Lecher led all Hamline players in scoring, recording 14 points in her 24 minutes played. She shot 55.5% (5-9) from the floor in the game, including draining her one three attempt. Senior Reilly Geistfeld also ended in double figures, logging her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 14 rebounds (five of which were offensive).
 
The Royals' Makenna Pearson proved tough to stop in the game, as she scored 22 points, making seven of her 11 shots, including four of five from deep. Bethel also capitalized on turnovers, holding a 28-11 advantage in points off turnovers throughout the game.
 
Hamline was outscored 21-13 in the first quarter, and Bethel scored the first six points in the second quarter to take a 14-point lead. The Royals would hold onto this double-digit lead for the rest of the half until sophomore Gabby Robinson scored a last second fast-break layup to cut Bethel's lead to nine heading into the intermission.
 
The Pipers had their strongest quarter in the third, outscoring the Royals 24-20 while hitting nine of their 14 shots (64.3%), including three of their five threes (60.0%). A three-pointer from senior Kaeli Stayer at the end of the quarter made it a five-point game heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
HU battled for the first half of the final quarter, and another Stayer three put the Pipers up by one with 4:46 to go. The Royals answered with a layup seconds later to re-take over the lead, which they would not give up for the remainder of the game. The Pipers found themselves down eight with only 57 seconds left and were forced to foul. Bethel went 8-8 from the line in the final minute to seal the win.
 
Hamline will have a chance to even their MIAC record on Tuesday when they will take on Macalester for their fifth straight road game. The Pipers will have their first home game on December 4 against Gustavus. Both games will begin at 7:00 p.m.