MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Hamline women's basketball team (14-8, 9-8 MIAC) hung with #14 Augsburg (19-3, 15-2 MIAC), being within four points at one point in each of the third and fourth quarters, but the Auggies would pull away to claim the 78-66 win on their home court.
 
The Pipers shot slightly better from the floor in the game, connecting on 44.9% of their shots (including 60.0% in the second half), but Augsburg hit 12 threes in the game compared to HU's five. The Auggies also took advantage of 19 Hamline turnovers in the contest to score 22 points off of these opportunities.
 
First year Lydia Lecher led the team in scoring, shooting 57.1% (8-14) from the floor, including hitting two of four (50.0%) from deep on her way to 22 points, only two off her season-high.
 
Sophomore Sarah Loken had a big performance for HU, coming off the bench to record her first career double-double with a career-high 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Mounds View, Minnesota native shot an efficient 60.0% (6-10) while also adding two assists.  
 
The Pipers burst out of the gate in the first quarter, taking a 9-2 lead after the first 5:41 of play. The Auggies answered quickly, however, scoring the next seven straight points to tie the game at nine. The opponents would trade baskets for the rest of the quarter, with Augsburg scoring a layup in the last seconds to lead 18-17 after the first 10 minutes.
 
In the second half of the second quarter, the Auggies hit back-to-back threes and made a layup to stretch their lead to nine with less than two minutes left of the half. A pair of free throws from senior Morgen Coleman made the score 37-28 in favor of Augsburg heading into the halftime break.
 
An 8-2 run for the Pipers early in the second half, got the game back within six, but the Auggies scored the next six to extend their lead back to double figures. HU once again rallied, as Lecher hit a three late in the quarter to make it a four-point game. The Pipers would trail by six heading into the final frame.
 
Hamline would be within four with seven minutes left and within five with three minutes left, but Augsburg closed out the game on a 12-5 run to seal the victory.
 
Four of Augsburg's five starters ended in double digits, with Tamira McLemore leading the effort with 15 points. Camryn Speese added 14, Aiza Wilson put up 12, and Arianna Jones chipped in with 10.
 
The Pipers continue their schedule on the road this weekend, as they will take on Saint Mary's on February 15 at 3:00 p.m. in Winona.