ST. PAUL, Minn. - After trailing for the majority of the game, the Hamline women's basketball team (10-3, 5-3 MIAC) found a way to come back to defeat Saint Mary's (1-11, 1-6 MIAC) in overtime for a 87-85 win.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Pipers saw themselves trailing by nine points (67-58) with 5:41 left in the game, but managed to put together an 11-3 scoring run to tie the game up at 70 apiece. From there, the teams traded baskets to maintain the tie until senior Reilly Geistfeld drained a clutch three to give HU a 75-72 lead with less than a minute to play.
 
Saint Mary's answered, however, as sophomore Shayley Vesel (who ended with 23 points) was fouled behind the three-point line and knocked down all three from the line to tie it back up. The Pipers' last second shot did not fall and the game was sent into overtime.
 
The Cardinals scored first in overtime, but Giestfeld hit another three to give HU the lead at 78-77. Later in the frame sophomore Chan'el Anderson-Manning connected on two free throws to put the Pipers up three, but the Cardinals were once again fouled behind the three-point line and they capitalized on all three attempts to tie the game at 85.
 
First year Lydia Lecher was fouled on Hamline's next possession and she hit both free-throws, which would prove to be the game-winners as the Pipers were able to get a stop in the final seconds of the game to complete the comeback victory.
 
Lecher led Hamline's scoring efforts on the day, putting up a career-high 24 points on 57.1% shooting (8-14). Geistfeld was right behind her, posting her sixth double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. This was the senior's fourth double-double in the past five games.
 
Senior Kaeli Stayer also ended in double digits with 10 points and both Anderson-Manning and sophomore Gabby Robinson chipped in with nine points.
 
In addition to Vesel, sophomore guard Brooklyn Paulson also did some damage for Saint Mary's, ending with a game-high 26 points.
 
The Pipers were able to shoot better in the contest, finishing with a 44.6% field goal percentage, including hitting 44.0% from deep. They held the Cardinals to a 38.5% field goal percentage, including hitting less than 30% from three.
 
Hamline will look to extend their six-game winning streak into their next week of play. They will take on Macalester at home on Wednesday, January 15 before making the trip to Concordia on Saturday, January 18.