The first-place Tommies (16-1 overall, 14-0 MIAC) broke to an early 18-point lead and polished off the host Pipers (4-13, 3-11), 79-56, in MIAC women's basketball play Wednesday night at Hutton Arena.

The No. 19-ranked Toms ran their winning streak to 16 and capped off a sweep of the season series with Hamline.

St. Thomas used a 49-27 rebounding advantage, shot 50 percent from the floor, and had a 27-6 edge in bench points.

Ali Johnson scored 15 points; Taylor Young scored 12 points; Maggie Weiers had 12 points and eight rebounds; freshman Anna Smith had 11 points and 10 rebounds; and Sarah Smith scored 11.

The Tommies play Saturday at Gustavus in a showdown of conference elite. The 13-1 Gusties won Wednesday night to stay one game behind the Toms in the MIAC race.

Click here for box score:

http://sites.hamline.edu/hamline_info/athletics/stats/wbb/1112/USTW-HUW.HTM