Junior Lauren Fischer cuts through the lane to score. Fischer had 11 points against the Pipers. (Madison Ordner/TommieMedia)
The St. Thomas Women’s Basketball team cheers for a win against Hamline. St. Thomas defeated Hamline with a final score of 61-38. (Madison Ordner/TommieMedia)
Junior guard Maddie Wolkow shoots in range for a three-pointer. Wolkow had 3 rebounds against the Pipers. (Madison Ordner/TommieMedia)
First-year Guard Sarah Krynski scores a layup for the Tommies. Krynski contributed two points to the win against Hamline. (Madison Ordner/TommieMedia)
Junior guard Maddie Wolkow on a full court transition. Wolkow scored two points for the Tommies. (Madison Ordner/TommieMedia)
Senior captain Kaitlin Langer scores a layup against Hamline’s defense. Langer dominated against the Pipers with 10 rebounds and 11 points. (Madison Ordner/TommieMedia)
The No. 2-ranked St. Thomas women’s basketball team overcame a slow start to defeat the Hamline Pipers 61-38 Wednesday night at Schoenecker Arena.
The Pipers (5-17 overall, 2-13 MIAC) brought the score within one with 50 seconds left in the first quarter, but Hannah Spaulding responded with a layup before time expired giving the Tommies (22-0 overall, 15-0 MIAC) a 16 -13 lead.
Center Kaitlin Langer said the team started out slow but was able make adjustments and turn the game around.
“Whenever we are in adversity or in a situation that is uncomfortable for us making sure that we stay together as a group is always the most important thing,” Langer said.
Hamline’s deficit only grew for the rest of the match-up.
The Tommies’ tough defense kept the Pipers scoreless until forward Alaina Quaranta scored a breakaway layup with 6:54 left in the first quarter.
Quaranta tallied two steals and finished with layups on back-to-back possession in the third quarter, which forced the Tommies to take a timeout.
Even with the win, St. Thomas head coach Ruth Sinn said the team threw a lot of possessions away and she was not pleased with the way they played.
“There were some things that just weren’t on our mark, and we’ve got to understand that we missed an opportunity tonight,” Sinn said. “I was not happy. I do not think that we played to our standards. But that is a learning lesson in itself.”
Four Tommies scored double digits. Guard Lucia Renikoff lead the Tommies with 12 points on five field goals in eight attempts, plus two free throws. Forward Lauren Fischer, Langer and center Alexa Naig each scored 11 points.
The Tommie bench saw a lot of court time and contributed 25 points as well.
Sinn thinks depth is a strong suit. She said that the more players who contribute, the more versatile the team, and the teams with the versatility are the most challenging for opponents.
“Our system and our program is about everyone contributing. Finding what their gifts are and contributing their gifts,” Sinn said.
The Tommies remain undefeated going into this Saturday’s matchup against the Carleton Knights.
“I don’t want (the team) to be worried about the outcome. Just embrace the moment,” Sinn said.
Carolyn Meyer can be reached at cameyer@stthomas.edu