Box Score Hamline's men's basketball team overcame a 12-point second half deficit to grab a lead but ended up on the short end of an 80-77 decision at Si Melby Hall Wednesday night. Zach Smith poured in 21 points -- the second most by any HU player this season while Connor Knutson had another solid game with 14 and Brian Hartman (pictured) added a career high 13 for HU, now 3-7 overall, 1-4 in the MIAC. 

HU was down 61-49 with 10:44 when Herbert Tarpeh started a rally with a three-point play. Knutson added a three-pointer and Smith, who was a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line, added a pair of shots as HU cut the lead in half at 63-57. The Pipers kept pecking away, tying the game at 73 on a Smith layup with 3:15 left. Travis Van Elsberg's layup gave Hamline a 75-75 advantage and Hartman doubled the margin with a free throw. Augsburg, however, went on a 6-1 run for the eventual final score. 

Hamline got a superb game from their non-starters. Hartman's career best night sparked a 20-7 edge in bench scoring. HU went  a season high 22-29 from the free throw line. 

This was the first start of a busy period for Hamline. They return to Hutton Arena Saturday to host Gustavus Adolphus in a 1:00 p.m. start. On Monday,  January11, they make the long trek to Concordia for a 7:00 p.m. affair. Two nights later (Wednesday, January 13), they will be in familiar surroundings as Carleton visits Hutton for a 7:00 p.m. game.