ST. PAUL, Minn. - With a 79-76 win over Concordia, the Hamline women's basketball team clinched their spot in the MIAC playoff tournament for the first time since the 2012-13 season. The Pipers are now 15-10 on the year, recording the most wins for the program since 2008-09.
 
Hamline received the No. 5 seed in the tournament and will play on Tuesday, February 25 at No. 4-seeded Gustavus at 7:00 p.m. If they win, they will play on Thursday against either Bethel or Augsburg.
 
Five different players ended in double figures for the Pipers in today's game, being led by sophomore Chan'el Anderson-Manning, who matched her career-high with 21 points. Anderson-Manning hit five of her nine shots (55.5%) from the floor, including draining three of six (50.0%) from three. She also scored eight points from the free throw line, collected five rebounds, and dished out four assists for a well-rounded performance.
 
Senior Reilly Geistfeld scored 14 for HU and first year Lydia Lecher added 13. Both senior Kaeli Stayer and sophomore Gabby Robinson contributed to the scoring with 10 points. Robinson and senior Morgen Coleman led the Pipers on the glass, nabbing seven rebounds each, combining for nine offensive boards.   
 
The Cobbers shot well in the contest, connecting on 50.9% of their shots throughout the game. The Pipers were held to a more modest 40.7%, but scored more from the line, holding a 22-10 edge in points off free throws. HU also scored more off second chances, holding a 16-8 advantage in this category.
 
The first quarter was fast-paced with both teams shooting above 50.0% in the opening frame. The scoring was close, until the Pipers used a 7-2 run towards the end of the quarter to lead 29-21 after the first 10 minutes.
 
Concordia started the second quarter strong, outscoring the Pipers 14-2 in the first seven minutes to take a 35-31 lead. However, Hamline bounced back, ending the half on a 10-3 run to lead 42-38 at halftime.
 
The Cobbers had the better third quarter, outscoring the Pipers by 10. They would stretch their lead to 10 (60-50) with 44 seconds left in the quarter, but HU scored the final four points to only trail by six heading into the fourth.
 
The Pipers used eight unanswered points in the middle of the final quarter to take over the lead at 68-65 with 3:22 to go. From here, they would not give up the lead, holding strong to earn the 79-76 win.
 
As this was their final home game of the season, Hamline used the opportunity to honor their five senior players - Morgen Coleman, Heather Moore, Rachel Kissinger, Reilly Geistfeld, and Kaeli Stayer - for their hard work and dedication to the program.