ST. PAUL, Minn. - An early lead and a late rally ensured the Hamline men's basketball team (3-11, 1-8 MIAC) a 62-54 win over Macalester (5-9, 2-7 MIAC) on Wednesday night. The win avenges an earlier season loss to the Scots in what was also a tight game.
 
Three Hamline players finished in double digits, being led by sophomore Luke Siwek who had a game-high 21 points on the night. The Rosemount native hit an impressive 69.2% of his shots to post his highest field-goal percentage of the year. Siwek has now put up 20 or more points in three of the past four games.
 
Junior Michael Dillon added 13 points and three steals, and first year Connor Krenos chipped in with 10 of his own, including five in the final two minutes of the game. First year Marshall Holland led the team in rebounding, nabbing eight boards on the night, five of which were offensive.  
 
Hamline got out to a quick lead, starting with a layup by senior Lucas Berg, followed by a three from Siwek to make it 5-0. Macalester would retaliate gaining a bucket of their own, but Hamline did not let up, opening the game with 12 of the first 16 points. With nine minutes left in the half, Krenos would drain a three to give the Pipers their biggest lead of the game, up 25-12.
 
In the last seven and a half minutes, Macalester came alive, ending the half on a 12-4 run to try and close the deficit. Hamline did not give up the lead, however, entering halftime up 30-27.
 
After the break, Macalester would open the second half with the first five points to take a 32-30 lead. The Pipers answered with 10 straight points of their own, attempting to put some space between themselves and the Scots, but Macalester then scored the next 10 points to get right back in it. The teams went back and forth, continuing to keep it close, until Hamline pulled away with three minutes left in the half. Siwek hit a three to give the Pipers back the edge and Krenos scored five important points to help the Pipers secure the 62-54 win for their first MIAC win of the year.
 
The Scots held a 38-32 rebounding edge in the contest, but it was the Pipers who would convert on their second chances, holding a 15-7 point advantage in that category. HU also held a 17-11 edge in points off turnovers, forcing 16 while only committing eight of their own.
 
Macalester was led by junior Jackson Henningfield who was a rebound shy of a double-double with 20 points for the Scots.
 
Hamline will continue their schedule on the road with a Saturday game against Concordia on January 18. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. Check the schedule page for live stat and video links.