A stifling defense combined with hot shooting from forward Taylor Young and center Maggie Weiers propelled the No. 16-ranked St. Thomas women’s basketball team to a 78-59 victory over Hamline University Monday at Schoenecker Arena.

The Pipers (5-14 overall, 4-12 MIAC) trailed 35-31 at halftime, but the Tommies’ tenacious full-court press defense took over in the second half, which coach Ruth Sinn said was key in throwing off Hamline’s rhythm.

“We did a much better job at the point of pickup and making them go east and west,” Sinn said.

The Tommies’ change in mindset heading into the second half proved to be pivotal. The Pipers went from 14 points off turnovers in the first half, to only one point in the second half.

Defensive pressure from St. Thomas quickly increased the Tommies’ 4-point halftime lead into a 12-point lead just 3:00 into the second half.

Weiers said playing at her team’s own pace was a major talking point at halftime.

“We wanted to lock down on defense so we could rebound and run. When we work together to do those things we can build up a lead,” Weiers said.

Forward Taylor Young led the Tommies (16-3 overall, 14-2 MIAC) with 19 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds, including a stretch in the first half where she scored 7-straight points.

“The baseline was really open, so that’s where I got a few of my points,” Young said. “(The Pipers) were also doubling really hard in the post, which got us some open shots, too.”

Guard Katie Stone was the beneficiary of Hamline’s low-post double-teaming, connecting on three 3-pointers, and finishing with 11 points. Weiers chipped in with a double-double, tallying 12 points and 12 rebounds.

The St. Thomas women also played a much more efficient second half on offense. After committing 15 turnovers in the first half, the Tommies responded in the second frame by giving the ball away just 4 times.

The Tommies suffered a slight scare with 8:00 left in the second half when Young collided at midcourt with Hamline’s Rachel Usgaard.

“It was just a screen I didn’t see coming,” Young said. “We just collided head to head, but I’m fine.”

The victory gives the Tommies their fifth win in as many games and helps the team retain control of second place in the MIAC standings.

St. Thomas is back in action at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when the team travels to Bethel for a MIAC matchup with the Royals.

Scott Sikich can be reached at siki3549@stthomas.edu.