SAINT PAUL, MINN.—The Hamline University men's basketball team hosted first-place Saint John's in a Wednesday-night bout at Hutton Arena. The Pipers couldn't regain a lead in the second half, as they dropped a 69-61 decision to the Johnnies.

Hamline falls to 2-5, 1-3 MIAC, while Saint John's stays unbeaten in conference play with a 7-2, 4-0 MIAC record.

Saint John's 69, Hamline 61

Tait Nelson gave Hamline their largest lead of the contest at 25-17 with 7:01 left in the first half off a layup, which ignited the Johnnies from beyond the arch. Saint John's rattled off five 3-point baskets to close the frame, which highlighted their 17-4 run that gave them a 34-29 halftime edge over the Pipers.

Despite a 43-43 tie in the second half, the Johnnies never found themselves trailing from that point forward in a 69-61 victory over Hamline.

Jake Larson paced the Pipers with a game-high 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting and 4-of-9 from the three-point line. Nelson added 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting along with two steals and three assists.

Jake Binley led Saint John's with 17 points off the bench, which engineered a team that shot 21-of-48 (.438) against Hamline's 25-of-61 (.410) figure.

The Pipers will host Concordia Moorhead on Saturday, December 11 at 3 p.m.