The final points were very appropriate. When Zach Smith hit two free throws in the final minute of Hamline's 90-74 win over Macalester at Hutton Arena in the final regular season game for the men's basketball team, ti made him the 16th player in school history to reach 1,000 career points. It was very appropriate because the Burnsville, Minn. junior leads the MIACÂ with a 91.7 success rate from the line.Â
Smith had 16 points in the win against the Scots that sewed up fifth place for the Pipers, who finished the MIACÂ season with an 11-9 record (14-11 overall). As a result, HU is back in the men's hoop playoffs for the first time since the 2010-11 season. They will play at St. John's on Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m.Â
Smith and the Pipers were just in Collegeville. Last Wednesday, Smith scored 13 points as HU rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit and came close in a 65-63 loss. Smith added 16 Saturday in the win over the scots.Â
In addition to the leading the MIAC in Free Throw Percentage, Smith is second in Minutes Played (35.9 per game) and third in Points Per Game at 17.7 In addition to his place on the All-Tim Points list, Zach ranks sixth in Free Throws Made (235) and Assists (240).Â
The Pipers' return to the MIAC basketball playoffs meant that Smith will have to keep his other athletic gear in another locker. He is also a lefthanded pitcher for the Piper baseball team
