ST. PAUL, Minn. - In a game where neither team led by more than seven points, the Hamline men's basketball team (1-3, 0-2 MIAC) found themselves on the losing end of a 58-55 decision against Macalester (4-3, 1-1 MIAC) on Wednesday night at Hutton Arena.
 
The Pipers were led by a career-best effort from sophomore Luke Siwek, who scored 20 points shooting 50.0% from the floor (8-16).
 
Six other Hamline players scored in the game, with senior Lucas Berg, sophomore Jordan Litwiller, and sophomore Andrew Jackson all ending with eight points. Jackson's points were especially efficient as he made four of his five attempts. Junior Michael Dillon paced the Pipers on the boards, tallying nine rebounds in the contest.
 
As a team, HU shot 38.3% in the game and 26.3% from deep. Macalester was held to similar numbers, shooting 41.5% and 28.0% from three. The Pipers forced 19 turnovers throughout the matchup, while only committing seven of their own to hold a 15-0 edge in points off turnovers. The Scots, however, held the advantage in rebounding (45-29) with a 10-3 edge in second chance points.
 
The Pipers held a small lead for the majority of the first half, although an eight point Macalester run towards the end of the first frame made it look like the Scots would carry some momentum into the intermission. HU answered, though, as a three from Siwek and points from Berg and Jackson helped Hamline enter halftime with a four point lead.
 
The Scots started the second half with a 5-0 run and the game went back-and-forth for the next 13 minutes, with the Pipers up by one (50-49) with seven minutes to play. From here, Mac stepped up their defensive intensity, holding Hamline to only one point in the following seven minutes, putting them down seven (51-58) with only 38 seconds to go.
 
Berg and Siwek each scored in the following 25 seconds to put the Pipers within striking distance with 13 seconds left. Berg then forced a clutch turnover, giving HU a last-second opportunity. The Pipers got two threes off in the final 11 seconds, but neither would fall, allowing the Scots to come away with the win.
 
Junior Jackson Henningfield led the Scots on the night, finishing with a game-high 21 points. Teammates Eric Sathy and Gabriel Ramos each chipped in with 13 points as well.  
 
Hamline will return to action next Wednesday, December 4, when they will travel to Gustavus for a 7:00 p.m. game.