ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern women's basketball team welcomed neighboring Hamline to the Ericksen Center for Tuesday night non-conference action. Following a strong second-half performance from the Eagles, UNW took a three-point lead with under three minutes to play. The Pipers battled back and Northwestern couldn't get the tying last-second shot to go, falling to Hamline 62-60 in final scoring.

The Eagles start the year 0-2 after taking on two tough Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) opponents. Hamline improves to 2-0 on the year. 
 
The Pipers drained four shots from beyond the arc to lead UNW 21-10 after first quarter action. Northwestern shot 18% from the field to Hamline's 47% in the opener quarter.
 
The Eagles cut the Hamline lead to four (23-19) to start the second after Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) connected on two straight three-pointers followed by a long ball from Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy). Both teams suffered a late quarter drought, but UNW managed to outscore Hamline, 12-8 in the quarter to make it 29-22 heading into the half. Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) led Northwestern with 11 first half points.
 
Hamline started the third going five for five from the field to increase the lead to 10 (41-31). Northwestern didn't back down as Miranda Crenshaw (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) posted up and scooped a layup up and in from Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) to bring UNW within six (50-44) with time expiring in the third. 
 
The Eagles outscored the Pipers, 6-3 to start the fourth to pull within three points. The Pipers went cold – starting the quarter shooting just one of five from the field. A baseline three from Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) tied it up with 4:30 on the clock. Following an Eagle steal on the defensive end, Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) penetrated the paint to draw a foul. Lund knocked down a free throw to give UNW their first lead of the half (54-53) and Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) scored on the next possession to make it 56-53.
 
The Pipers got on the board for the first time in six minutes – and regained the lead on a series of four straight points from Gabby Robinson. Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) responded, driving from the left wing to the hole to pull UNW back within one.
 
Northwestern was forced to foul on the defensive end, but the Pipers capitalized on free throw opportunities – extending the lead back to three (61-58).
 
With 17 seconds on the clock, this time it was Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) who caught the inbound pass and took it straight to the paint. Down one, the Eagles fouled right away. Hamline connected on just one of two free throws – giving Northwestern the ball with 10 seconds on the clock and down by two.
 
The Eagles had one last look with time expiring, but couldn't get it to go. Northwestern fell in a 62-60 final heartbreaker.

A trio of sophomores led UNW offensively on the night. Lund recorded a team-best 18 points, while Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) finished with 14 and Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) tacked on 12. Jordan Sauve (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) pulled down nine rebounds and grabbed four steals. Rio Landers (Grand Meadow, Minn./Grand Meadow) dished out five assists.
 
Northwestern will return to action on Thursday, Nov. 14 when they take on their third straight MIAC opponent. The Eagles will tipoff at Augsburg at 7 p.m. The Auggies were picked second in this year's MIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
Follow UNW women's basketball all season long on www.unweagles.com or on Instagram and Twitter at @unwwbb.