SAINT PAUL, MINN- The Hamline University men's basketball team was back out in Hutton Arena to take on St. Mary's on Monday night. The Pipers were able to rally in the second half to force overtime, and get a big game-winning three-pointer at the top-right corner from
Bradley Cimperman in an 87-84 win.
The win will improve the Pipers to 11-8 (7-7 MIAC), while the Cardinals will fall to 11-8 (7-7 MIAC).
Hamline 87 St. Mary's 84
Both teams came out of the gates firing in the first half shooting the ball at a high clip and going back-and-forth with the teams finding themselves at a 18-18 tie. From there, St. Mary's started to take control of the game and extend their lead. The Cardinals were able to push to a 41-32 lead with two minutes left before a late run by the Pipers cut it to 41-36 at the half. St. Mary's had the advantage right out of the half stretching their lead to 62-49 at the 13-minute mark.
The Pipers weren't done though, continuing a terrific shooting day they were able to stay in the game courtesy of making 52% of their shots from the field and 14-of-25 from three. And after cutting into the lead they finally tied it up with a
Brendan Ebel layup and free throw with three minutes left. After a St. Mary's response, the Pipers needed one more clutch shot and got one from
Bradley Cimperman who tied it again at 79-79 with 59 seconds left. The Pipers then stood tall on defense to force an overtime.
The overtime period continued to go back and forth with it leading to a tie at 81-81 with 36 seconds left. Cimperman was the one to take the clutch shot again hitting a three from the top of the key with 17 seconds left giving the Pipers the three-point 84-81 lead. It didn't last as St. Mary's Raheem Anthony hit a tough step-back three to tie it right back up at 84-84 with five seconds left. Cimperman wasn't interested in playing five more minutes though, wasting no time bringing the ball up and stepping into a deep three that found nothing but net and completed an impressive 87-84 victory.
Cimperman finished the night with 24 points including shooting 4-of-4 from three, he was helped by a terrific performance from
Sam Hoffman who hit seven three-pointers on his way to a career-high 23 points. The Pipers also received great turnouts from
Austin Holt, who posted 13 points and 13 rebounds, and
Brendan Ebel who finished with 12 points.
The Cardinals were led by a 33-point and 10 rebound game from Raheem Anthony, as well as Jabari Sawyer's 15 points.
The Pipers will be in action again Wednesday, February 1 when they travel to take on Bethel at 7 p.m.
