NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Aiana Whitfield (Jr./Richfield, Minn./Benilde St.-Margaret's) scored 20 points, including a career-best five 3-pointers as the Carleton College women's basketball team notched its fifth consecutive victory, this time taking down Hamline University by a 67-60 tally.
 
For the second time in 11 days, Carleton (10-12, 9-10 MIAC) defeated one of the top teams in the conference. On Jan. 29, it was snapping a 13-game MIAC win streak for first-place Augsburg. Tonight, it was Hamline (16-5, 14-4 MIAC), which entered play having won its previous five contests.
 
"I am really proud of how this team has come together and continues to battle," said Carleton head coach Tammy Metcalf-Filzen. "This was a great effort against a very good Hamline team. Rest days are really appreciated at this time of year, so we'll enjoy one tomorrow and get back to work on Friday."
 
The season's first matchup between the Knights and Pipers resulted in a lopsided, 35-point victory for Hamline. This game felt different from the beginning.
 
Jasmine Choi (So./Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo) kicked off the scoring exactly 60 seconds into the game with a layup, and the Knights led the rest of the way although Hamline made it interesting in the second half.
 
Isabelle Henry (So./Prior Lake, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels) drained a 3-pointer to give the hosts a 9-0 advantage only 3:27 into the contest. The Knights led 22-15 at the end of the first quarter and extended the margin to 38-28 by intermission, buoyed by 14 points from Whitfield including four 3-pointers across the first two periods.
 
Carleton opened the second half with an 8-0 run to build a game-high 18-point lead at 46-28 with 6:51 remaining in the third quarter.
 
Hamline countered with a 7-0 run of its own, and cut the Knights' lead down to 53-43 by the end of the third quarter.
 
On the shoulders of Lydia Lecher, who would finish the affair with a game-leading 24 points, the visitors got within two points at 57-55 with 5:57 to play. However, the Pipers would make only two more shots in the game. Lecher's triple brought the score to 60-58 with 1:25 still to play. Carleton got layups from both Choi and Whitfield, and the duo made three free throws in the final 20 seconds to seal the victory.
 
Choi contributed 18 points, a team-high eight rebounds, and six steals. Jill Yanai (Sr./Glendale, Calif./Glendale) added 11 points, seven rebounds, and six steals in addition to a season best-tying seven assists.
 
As a team, Carleton registered 15 steals and finished with a 16-9 edge in points off turnovers and a 10-1 advantage in fast break points.
 
Carleton shot 40 percent from the field and was 6-of-13 (46 percent) from 3-point range. Hamline made 37 percent of its shots but was only 8-of-27 (30 percent) from beyond the arc.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton plays host to crosstown rival St. Olaf College on Saturday, Feb 12. The Senior Day doubleheader begins with the women's game at 1:00 p.m. with the President's Trophy up for grabs.