SAINT JOSEPH, Minn. — The UW-River Falls Women's Basketball team opened its season at the CSB Tipoff Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 9, taking advantage of a big fourth quarter to defeat Hamline 65-58.

The game is the first of two for the Falcons at the CSB Tipoff Tournament, as UWRF prepares to face Saint Benedict tomorrow at 3 p.m.

UWRF jumped out to a 5-0 lead, before Hamline closed the early gap and played out a contested first quarter. Both teams shot well in the first period, as UWRF shot 60% in the first frame and Hamline shot 41.2% from the field as both teams tied at 20-20.

The second quarter saw Hamline start off with a 6-0 run, before the Falcons responded with a resounding 16-0 run of their own that put UW-River Falls up 36-26 with just over a minute to go. The Pipers scored a basket in the final minute, as the Falcons went into halftime leading 36-28. Zoey Buchan led the way with seven first-half points, while Olivia Miron dished out four assists and tallied six points. The Falcons nailed six three-pointers in the first half.

The Pipers cut into the lead straight out of the gates at the beginning of the second half, starting the third quarter on a 13-1 run that put Hamline up 41-37 with 3:55 remaining. A three-pointer by Braelyn Beiler at 3:38 marked UWRF's first basket of the second half, trimming the deficit to 41-40. UWRF struggled from the field in the third quarter, as Hamline held a narrow 47-43 lead heading into the final quarter.

Olivia Hoerl opened the fourth quarter with a jumper, three-pointer, and layup in consecutive offensive possessions to put UWRF back in front 50-47. Hoerl scored 15 or her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter. The Falcons built up a 55-52 lead, shooting 83.3% from the field through the first 4:29 of play. UWRF held Hamline to 35.36% from the field in the fourth quarter, limiting the Pipers to just two field goals in the final six minutes of regulation, pulling away to win 65-58.

Hoerl's 18 points and three three-pointers made are both career highs, as she shot 50% (6-12) from the field and 75% (3-4) from three-point range. Hoerl and Miron led the Falcons with six rebounds each, while Averie Varsho tallied five. Miron finished with 11 points, six boards, and five assists.

As a team, UWRF shot 42.6% (20-47) from the field and 40% (10-25) from three-point range. 

Up next, the Falcons will face Saint Benedict at 3 p.m. on Nov. 10, on Day 2 of the CSB Tipoff Tournament.