WINONA, Minn. — History was made inside David R. Thies Arena and the Cardinals were the ones writing it.
The No. 4 Saint Mary's women's basketball team (20-7, 13-5) delivered one of the most electrifying comebacks in program history, stunning No. 5 Hamline University (19-7, 13-5), 59-52, in the MIAC Quarterfinals behind the largest reported in-game scoring run in history, a jaw-dropping 27-0 explosion.
Down 52-32 entering the fourth quarter. Season on the line.Â
And then? Pure chaos, Cardinal style.
Saint Mary's locked down defensively and did not allow a single point in the final 10 minutes. Not one.Â
Hamline went 0-for-10 from the field and turned the ball over eight times in the quarter as the Cardinals unleashed relentless defensive pressure, turned stops into transition buckets, and fed off a roaring home crowd.
The comeback officially etched itself into program lore, a 27-0 run that flipped a 20-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter into a seven-point victory and punched Saint Mary's ticket to the MIAC Semifinals.
After a challenging first three quarters that saw Hamline control tempo and build a 52-32 lead, the Cardinals never flinched. Brianna Nusbaum ignited the rally with a clutch three-pointer early in the fourth. Ayla Olson attacked the rim with confidence. Lindsey Lettner buried a massive triple that swung the lead. And from there, Saint Mary's closed the door at the free-throw line, converting 18-of-23 from the stripe while capitalizing on 14 points off turnovers.
Nusbaum was sensational, pouring in 24 points with three three-pointers and nine rebounds. Kali Olson added 11 points and six boards, while Ayla Olson chipped in 10 points. Lettner's timely three proved to be one of the biggest shots of the night.
The Pipers led for more than three quarters, but when it mattered most, it was all Cardinals.
From 21 points down to a historic 27-0 run, from facing elimination to the MIAC Semifinals.
Saint Mary's is surging.
The Cardinals now head to No. 1 seed Concordia College on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7:00 p.m. It is a team Saint Mary's has already defeated this season and they'll carry every ounce of momentum with them.
