At least this time, the trip is a short one. Fresh off a split against a pair of tough foes out west, the HU men's basketball team swings back into MIAC action January 2 when they trek down Snelling Ave. to face Macalester.

Game time at Leonard Center is 7:30 p.m.

Hamline (2-2 MIAC, 5-4 overall) made a spirited second half surge before falling off in the final minute of a 77-67 loss at Whitworth Monday in Spokane, Wash. Two days before, they outscored Whitman for a 92-89 win in Walla Walla.

In both games, Dior Ford (pictured) shined offensively, scoring 19 and 18 points respectively. The sophomore has been in double digits in all but one game this season and leads the Pipers in scoring with a 15.8 points per game average.

The Pipers have been lighting it up offensively, averaging 77.6 points per game, second best in the conference.

The Scots got out of the gate fast, winning three of their first four games. But they have dropped four in a row, including all three conference contests. They last played December 30 in a 74-61 home court setback to Lakeland. Macalester can throw bombs, though. They rank second in the league in three-point attempts (17.7) and sixth in long distance shots converted at 5.3

It's the first of two MIAC road battles this week for the Pipers. On Saturday, January 5, they play at Gustavus Adolphus.