St. Thomas struggled all day with its field-goal shooting, but the Tommies (2-0 overall, 1-0 MIAC) sank nine of 11 free throws in the fourth quarter to help hold off visiting Concordia-Moorhead, 63-58, in Saturday afternoon's MIAC women's basketball game at Schoenecker Arena.

Macy Hatlestad's driving basket with 38 seconds remaining broke a 57-57 tie and put the Toms ahead to stay on a day when they just shot 30 percent from the floor, including a 2-for-20 clip behind the arc.

The Cobbers made one of two free throws with 18 seconds left, and Tommie freshman Katleyn Stanley made the first of two free throws with 14 seconds to go for a 60-58 lead. Stanley missed the second foul shot but came away with the offensive rebound in a scramble. Hatlestad was fouled and sank one of two free throws with 13 seconds left for a 61-58 lead.

After a time out, a Tommie steal and a Cobber foul, Kaia Porter made two free throws with :04 left to ice the victory.

Emile Beseman scored 17 of her game-high 25 points in the second half and chipped in five assists, and Mary Sem added 10 rebounds for the Cobbers (0-2, 0-1).

Coach Ruth Sinn's Tommies sank 23 of 32 at the line, had a 48-34 advantage in rebounds, and had only eight turnovers to offset a 19-of-62 shooting day from the floor. Brynne Rolland led with 11 points; Allie Spaulding and Hatlestad each scored 10; Abby Mackenthun had nine points and six rebounds and Noelle Tomes scored nine, both off the bench; and Stanley contributed nine rebounds and seven points.

The Toms closed the first half on a 14-0 run and took a 33-25 lead into halftime. The Cobbers whittled away and regained the lead early in the fourth quarter,. Down the stretch there were four ties and four lead changes.

St. Thomas plays at Hamline next Wednesday.