WINONA, Minn. - The Hamline women's basketball team (14-9, 9-9 MIAC) was within one heading into the fourth quarter, but would see Saint Mary's (4-19, 4-15 MIAC) pull away in the fourth to win 79-61.
 
With two games still to play in the regular season, the Pipers are in fifth place in the MIAC, with the top six teams making the playoff tournament.
 
The Pipers shot 42.4% in the game, which was only slightly behind the Cardinals' 46.0%. SMU did shoot better from three, holding a 34.6% percentage throughout the game, and although both teams had double-digit turnovers, Saint Mary's capitalized on HU's mistakes, scoring 24 points off these chances.
 
Senior Reilly Geistfeld led the Pipers in scoring, recording 24 points in her 25 minutes played, shooting an even 50.0% on eight of 16 from the floor, which included hitting three of six from deep. Sophomore Gabby Robinson and first year Lydia Lecher each added nine points and sophomore Chan'el Anderson-Manning dished out six assists.
 
The Pipers started the game strong, as a pair of free throws from Geistfeld put HU up 16-10 late in the first quarter. Saint Mary's, however, went on an 8-2 run to close out the first 10 minutes, tying the game up at 18 all.
 
The Cardinals started the second quarter with that same energy, getting seven unanswered points to open the frame and would enter the break with a 38-30 lead.
 
Hamline worked their way back in the third quarter, outscoring the Cardinals 22-15. In the middle of the quarter Geistfeld scored seven straight points to tie the game up at 47 points apiece. The Pipers would trail by one (53-52) heading into the fourth.
 
Saint Mary's scored 13 points in a row in the fourth, putting themselves up 71-54 with only 3:30 to go. Hamline was not able to recover, falling 79-61.
 
The Pipers will close out the regular season with a pair of home games. They first host Carleton on Wednesday, February 19 at 7:00 p.m. and will then take on Concordia on Saturday, February 22 at 3:00 p.m.