NORTHFIELD, MINN.—The Hamline University men's basketball team took a 30-minute trip to St. Olaf for a Saturday-afternoon affair. The Oles never trailed after the final minute of the first half, but a 16-3 Pipers run capped by Bradley Cimperman's jumper with 0:18 left in the game knotted things at 70-70. St. Olaf capitalized on the game's final possession thanks to Nathan Handler's layup at the buzzer that propelled them to a 72-70 victory.

The Pipers fall to 10-7, 6-6 MIAC, while the Oles improve to 11-6, 7-5 MIAC.

St. Olaf 72, Hamline 70

A 9-0 run to begin the game kick-started a Hamline squad that maintained the lead for the opening 19 minutes. The Oles took the driver's seat, and never trailed after the opening half's final minute thanks to a three-pointer and a pair of free throw makes from Brendan Kauls that made the score 37-35 with 0:32 on the clock.

St. Olaf jumped to their largest lead of the game at 67-54 with 5:13 left in the game off Connor Martin's layup. The Pipers responded with a 16-3, capped by Cimperman's jumper with 0:18 left that knotted the game at 70-70. The game's final possession belonged to the Oles. Blake Christensen blocked Martin's shot with 0:02 on the clock, but St. Olaf grabbed the offensive board. This provoked an Ole timeout, which paid dividends as Handler's buzzer-beating layup gave his team a 72-70 win.

Cimperman finished the game with 28 points, while Austin Holt converted his ninth double double of the season with 18 points and 10 boards along with four steals. Mick Wherley contributed 13 points for the Pipers, whose starting five attributed for all their scoring.

Martin led St. Olaf with 23 points, while Handler's buzzer beater highlighted a 10-point outing.

The Pipers will travel to Macalester on Wednesday, January 25 for a 7 p.m. game.