ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Hamline women's basketball team (2-4, 2-2 MIAC) finished off their busy week of play with a tight matchup with Saint Mary's (2-3, 1-3 MIAC), coming up just short as the Cardinals came away with a 72-69 win on Saturday afternoon at Hutton Arena.
 
First year Jaiden Kline recorded her first career double-double, putting up a 20-point, 10-rebound performance for the Pipers. The 20 points also marked a new career-high for Kline and her 14.5 points per game ranks in the top-10 in the MIAC so far this season.
 
Junior Gabby Robinson and sophomore Tess Hauer also finished in double figures, as Robinson went 7-7 from the line, ending with a season-high 13 points and Hauer collected 10 points and seven rebounds on the day. Junior Sophie Findell chipped in with seven points as well as dishing out a career-high seven assists throughout the game.
 
Despite putting up the better shooting percentage from the field (42.9% - 37.7%), the Pipers were cold from three, connecting on only four of 21 attempts (19.0%). Each team scored a fair amount from the free throw line, as the Cardinals held a 21-17 edge in points off free throws in the contest.
 
The game started on the right note for Hamline, as Kline scored the first four points of the game in the first minute of play. Later in the quarter, the Pipers would lead 14-8, but would see SMU score the next six straight points to tie it up at 14 apiece. However, HU scored the final four points of the quarter and would lead 18-15 heading into the second.
 
Halfway through the second quarter the game would be tied at 22, and the Cardinals would outscore the Pipers 6-4 in the final five minutes to lead 28-26 at the half.
 
Saint Mary's came out strong to start the second half, stretching their lead to 12 after the first three minutes. From here, the Pipers would turn it around, though, going on a 12-2 run to get within two at 44-42 and a layup from sophomore Alyssa Williamson would later put HU up 47-46. The Cardinals scored four of the last six points of the quarter and would lead by one (50-49) heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
The Pipers got in another hole in the fourth, trailing by nine with 4:18 to play, but they refused to quit, cutting that lead to four (68-64) with 1:18 to go. An and-one from Robinson in the final seconds got the game within one, but HU ran out of time to get another shot off. Saint Mary's sunk their final pair of free throws to secure the 72-69 win.
 
Hamline will have another full schedule next week, playing at Bethel on Tuesday, hosting Saint Benedict on Thursday, and traveling to Gustavus on Saturday.