ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Hamline women's basketball (8-3, 3-3 MIAC) team started the new year off right with a 57-41 win over St. Catherine (4-7, 1-5 MIAC). With the win, the Pipers have now won their past four games and improve to .500 in MIAC play.
 
First year Lydia Lecher put up a career-high 21 points in the game, hitting an efficient 64.3% (9-14) of her shots, including draining three of five from beyond the arc. Lecher added six rebounds in her 32 minutes played as well.
 
Eight other Pipers contributed to the scoring throughout the contest. Senior Reilly Geistfeld led the team in rebounding in the game with seven boards, while also adding nine points and an assist.
 
The team held the Wildcats to the lowest shooting percentage (25.0%) of any opponent so far this season, while also forcing 19 turnovers that they would turn into 21 points. The Pipers were outrebounded 38-27, but still scored the same amount on second chances (13) as St. Kate's.
 
Hamline started the game getting the first six points, with sophomore Gabby Robinson knocking down three free throws and senior Kaeli Stayer hitting a three. After the first 10 minutes, HU held a 14-9 lead heading into the second quarter.
 
A three for St. Kate's gave them the lead with eight minutes left in the half, but a jumper from Lecher and a three from Robinson put HU back on top. The Pipers took a three-point lead into the break, up 22-19.
 
Lecher scored a quick eight points to start the second half, putting HU up by 10 with 7:41 left in the third quarter. The Pipers continued to build on their lead throughout the quarter, leading by 15 at one point, but the Wildcats scored the last six points of the quarter to make it 39-30 heading into the fourth.
 
The Pipers were incredibly efficient in the final quarter, hitting eight of their 11 shots, including two of three from deep. This helped them outscore St. Kate's 18-11 in the quarter to earn the win.
 
Hamline will play again on Wednesday, January 11, when they travel to Carleton. They will then be at home for their next two contests, hosting Saint Mary's on January 11 and Macalester on January 15.