Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — It was Senior Night for the Saint Mary's University women's basketball team Wednesday night against Hamline, and what better way to honor its graduating seniors than with a victory.

Add to it the fact that the Cardinals' four seniors — Stacy Hammel (Manitowoc, Wis.), Alissa Erichsen (Spring Valley, Minn.), Colleen O'Hearn (Champlin, Minn.) and Amy Burns (Winona, Minn.) — accounted for 46 of SMU's 60 points, and it truly was the perfect senior sendoff.

Led by Hammel's game-high 18 points, 10 points each from Erichsen and O'Hearn, and eight points from Burns, the Cardinals notched their second straight victory, beating the Pipers 60-57.

After jumping out to a four-point, 29-25 halftime advantage, the Cardinals actually found themselves trailing, 57-56, with 1:12 remaining in regulation. A pair of free throws from Erichsen gave the Cardinals back the lead, and two more from Jamie Rattunde (Rollingstone, Minn.), sealed the win for SMU — a win that puts the Cardinals in the driver's seat for one of the two remaining MIAC playoff spots.

With St. Benedict, St. Thomas, Carleton and Gustavus already assured of berths in the six-team MIAC post-season tournament, the Cardinals are battling with St. Olaf and Concordia for the two remaining spots. With Wednesday's win, SMU improved to 11-8 in the MIAC, one game ahead of St. Olaf and two games in front of Concordia with three games remaining.

Nina Boyd and Jessica Barrett each scored 17 points to pace Hamline (4-15 MIAC, 4-18 overall).