ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Hamline Women's basketball team (5-3, 2-3 MIAC) defeated St. Olaf (5-5, 2-3 MIAC) on a chilly Wednesday night at Hutton Arena by a final score of 61-52. 
 
Sophomore Gabby Robinson led the Pipers in scoring with a team-high 11 points while shooting 87.5% from the free throw line, knocking down seven of eight attempts.  
 
Sophomore Sophie Findell was close behind with nine of her own points, shooting an efficient four of six while connecting on one of her two attempts from downtown. Senior Reilly Geistfeld led the rebounding efforts, nabbing ten boards on the night.
 
Hamline held an 8-6 lead after a slow first quarter, but outscored the Oles 21-14 in the second frame to take a nine-point lead into the intermission, with a score of 29-20.
 
St. Olaf came out with the first five points of the third quarter, cutting HU's lead to four. The Pipers held strong, though, never giving up the lead.
 
In the fourth quarter, Findell got Hamline off to a good start, scoring the first five points of the quarter to put HU up by 11. The Pipers did not allow the Oles to get closer than seven, going on to win 61-52.
 
The Pipers were able to overcome poor shooting in a night that saw them only connect on 28% of their shots overall and only 22% from three point range. Defensive pressure was the key as they forced 23 turnovers which led to 23 points. The Pipers were able to control the ball throughout the game as they only committed 10 turnovers and limited St. Olaf to only four points off turnovers. 
 
The Pipers were also good from the free throw line as they hit 20 of their 29 attempts and were solid defensively as they only committed 15 fouls to the Oles 25. 
 
 Rachel Kelly led the Oles on offense shooting a hot seven of ten from the floor totaling a game-high 14 points. 
 
This win puts the Pipers at 2-3 in the conference and 5-3 overall for seventh place in the MIAC as they head into the break. They will be back in action on December 29th at 6:30 pm EST against Husson in Naples, Florida.