NORTH MANKATO, Minn. — The Hamline University women's basketball team (5-3, 1-2 MIAC) defeated Bethany Lutheran College (2-9, 0-0 UMAC), 63-48, at the Sports and Fitness Center North Gym, forcing 20 turnovers and scoring 18 points off those opportunities.

The first quarter began with Bethany Lutheran's Kenadi Arndt making a layup at 9:00 to put the home team on the board. Camille Cummings quickly responded for the Pipers with a jumper, tying the game at 2-2. Sophie Stork contributed a key three-pointer at 4:43, giving the Pipers a 9-4 lead, but Bethany Lutheran's Arinn McGee answered with a layup and free throw combination to narrow the gap. Juliana Ewald's three-pointer at 2:28 helped Bethany Lutheran reclaim a 12-10 lead. Emma Lamppa's three-pointer at 1:22 briefly put the Pipers ahead, but Megan Wegner's layup and free throw in the final minute secured Bethany Lutheran a 15-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Pipers took control in the second quarter with a commanding 21-9 run over Bethany Lutheran. Cummings led the charge for the visiting team, contributing multiple baskets, including a fastbreak jumper at 5:40 that put the Pipers ahead 24-22. Stork also added to the lead with a three-pointer at 7:32, assisted by Evelyn Wiltrout. Defensively, the Pipers forced Bethany Lutheran into seven turnovers, capitalizing on their scoring opportunities. Cummings capped off the quarter with a jumper, closing the period with a 10-point advantage.

Lauren Cooper sparked the Pipers' offensive efforts in the third quarter with a key three-pointer at 9:03, extending their lead. Cummings contributed significantly, scoring a jumper at 9:38 and making two free throws at 8:31. Wiltrout and Stork also added to the scoring with a three-pointer from Stork at 7:57, assisted by Cooper. Bethany Lutheran responded with Morgan Hulke hitting a three-pointer at 7:45, but the Pipers maintained control with Anna Rynkiewich securing a defensive rebound and a fastbreak layup at 7:08. The Pipers ended the quarter leading 49-35 after Cooper's layup with 11 seconds left.

The Pipers secured a decisive 63-48 victory over Bethany Lutheran in the fourth quarter. Rynkiewich scored early with a jumper and free throw, extending the Pipers' lead to 52-35. Cummings contributed with a layup at 7:51, and later, Josie Lupinek sealed the game with a three-pointer at 0:18, assisted by Phaley Yang. Bethany Lutheran's late attempts narrowed the gap slightly, with McGee finishing with a layup at 0:43, but it was not enough to close the deficit.

Cummings led the team with 16 points, converting 7 of 13 field goal attempts. Cooper added 11 points and recorded three steals. Rynkiewich contributed with seven rebounds and four steals. Stork made three 3-pointers, finishing with nine points.

The Pipers will be back in action after the winter break, where they will head out to California for a two game road series against Claremont-Mudd Scripps and Pomona-Pitzer on December 28 and December 30.