WINONA, Minn. — In a nail-biter at David R. Thies Arena, Saint Mary's (8-1, 3-0) held off Hamline (4-3, 1-2) for a 54–51 victory, using a strong defensive effort and a dominant presence in the paint to get the job done. The Cardinals turned 21 Hamline turnovers into crucial points and powered their way to 32 points inside, helping them stay just a step ahead down the stretch.

The opening quarter set the tone for a back-and-forth battle. Saint Mary's and Hamline traded leads throughout, with Kali Olson providing key buckets early and late in the frame. Ayla Olson's layup with 43 seconds left briefly tied the game, but Hamline answered at the line, sending the Cardinals into the break trailing 14–12.

Saint Mary's ramped up the intensity in the second quarter. 

Kali Olson's pair of blocks sparked the defensive energy, while Ayla Olson continued to produce on the offensive end, scoring five points in the period. Lindsey Lettner drilled a clutch three with nine seconds remaining to pull the Cardinals within one, but the Pipers held a slim 27–26 edge at halftime.

The momentum shifted after the break. 

Rylie Sternquist opened the third with a go-ahead layup, and the Cardinals never looked back. Kali Olson and Lettner added to the surge, Lettner with another big three, before Ayla Olson cashed in on a fast-break layup created off a steal. 

Hamline stayed within reach, but Saint Mary's maintained control, heading into the fourth up 42–39 after winning the quarter 16–12.

The Cardinals came out firing in the final frame. Back-to-back layups from Kali Olson, followed by another from Ayla Olson, stretched the lead to nine. Julia Koch buried a three at the 6:15 mark to keep the Cardinals rolling, but Hamline made one last push, clawing back to within a point at 52–51 with under a minute to go. 

With the game on the line, Koch stepped up once more, knocking down two pressure-packed free throws with 11 seconds left to seal the 54–51 win.

Ayla Olson led Saint Mary's with 18 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, going 5-for-7 at the line. Lettner added 11 points, including a trio of threes, and three boards. Kali Olson delivered an efficient 12 points (6-for-8), nine rebounds, and four blocks, while Brianna Nusbaum chipped in six points to go along with three steals and three assists.

The Cardinals will be back in action on Friday, Dec. 19 against Luther in Decorah, Iowa for a 2:00 p.m. tip off.