ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Hamline men's basketball team (2-11, 0-8 MIAC) took on conference rival Saint Mary's University (7-6, 4-4 MIAC) at Hutton Arena this afternoon, ultimately falling 87-73 as the Pipers saw the Cardinals pull away late in the second half.
 
Sophomore Luke Siwek led the charge for HU with a career-high 22 points on the afternoon, posting an efficient 63.6 shooting percentage (7-11), including hitting four of six from beyond the arc. Siwek tallied four assists and four rebounds throughout the game as well.
 
Juniors Jake Larson and Trey Prince also finished in double figures for Hamline, scoring 16 and 11 points, respectively. Both shot well in the game, with Prince knocking down five of his seven shots (71.4%) and Larson hitting six of his 12 (50.0%).
 
The Pipers started on the right foot, with a three from junior Michael Dillon to begin the game. The Cardinals retaliated and were able to get themselves on the board shortly after. In just the first half, the teams would trade the lead six times. However, a three from Berg, with 10:37 left on the clock, would tie the contest at 15 and the Pipers would not give up the lead for the rest of the half. They went into the locker room leading Saint Mary's 39-37.
 
After the intermission, the Pipers would start the second half the way they did the first, with a basket from beyond the arc, this time from Siwek. Once again it was a back and forth game, until the Cardinals went on a 19-5 run which would put them up 80-66 with 4:10 to go. Hamline was unable to recover, allowing Saint Mary's to walk away with the 87-73 win.
 
It was tightly matched through the majority of the game, with neither team leading by more than seven until the Cardinals went on their scoring run late in the game. Turnovers hurt HU in the contest, as SMU held a 20-6 edge in points off turnovers, as well as holding a 13-2 advantage in second chance points.
 
The Cardinals were led by junior Sawyer Rosner who put up 19 points and had five rebounds against the Pipers. He drained an impressive five of six from downtown in the game.
 
Hamline will be on the road next week, playing Macalester on January 15 and Concordia on January 18. If you are unable to travel to the games, check back to the men's basketball schedule page to find live stat and video links.