ST. PAUL, MINN- The Hamline University Women's Basketball team hosted a MIAC playoff game for the first time in program history when they took on St. Benedict in the playoff quarterfinals at Hutton Arena on Wednesday night. The historic night continued as the Pipers, using a big second half, raced to a 78-61 victory to continue the season into the semifinals.

With the win the Pipers pick up their most wins in a single season with a record of 19-6 breaking a mark that was set in the 1985-86 season. The Bennies will finish the season with a record of 15-11.

HAMLINE 78, ST. BENEDICT 61

After St. Ben's opened the game with a quick 8-3 push the Pipers responded, going on a run of their own to finish the first quarter with a 17-13 lead. Hamline started the second quarter hot and were able to get the lead up to 10 before a late run was able to get the Bennies within four with a score of 38-34.

The Pipers were able to gain separation in the third quarter led by Lydia Lecher's nine points in the period and got the lead as high as 17 before closing the quarter up 62-48. Using an 8-0 run to start the fourth, the Bennies got the lead down to six before the Pipers hit another gear to finish with a 78-61 win.

For the Pipers, Lydia Lecher turned in another great performance with 22 points. Helping her out with 13 points was Chan'el Anderson-Manning while Sophie Findell had 11 points adding to her game-high four assists. Gabby Robinson chipped in 10 points.

For the Bennies, Carla Meyer and Gabby Martin led the way each putting up 15 points.

The Pipers will move on to take on No. 1 seed Augsburg in the MIAC Semifinals Friday, February 25 at 5:45 p.m. in Minneapolis.