MIAC RELEASE
SAINT PAUL, MINN.—Two Hamline University Pipers were a part of the 2023-24 MIAC Men's Basketball Awards that were announced on Tuesday afternoon. Juniors Austin Holt, and Bradley Cimperman each earned a spot on the 2023-24 MIAC Men's Basketball All-Conference Team. Holt was named 2023-24 MIAC Men's Basketball Defensive Player of the Year. He is the second Piper to ever earn any type of MIAC Player of the Year Award, with Carl Hipp being the first in 2011. This is just the second season the MIAC has recognized a Defensive Player of the Year.
This marks Cimperman and Holt's second-straight trip to the 2023-24 MIAC Men's Basketball All-Conference Team.
2023-24 MIAC Men's Basketball Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Luke Harris (Carleton)
Defensive Player of the Year: Austin Holt (Hamline)
Rookie of the Year: Sam Koelling (Carleton)
Coach of the Year: Pat McKenzie (Saint John's)
Holt finished the 2023-24 season with a MIAC-leading 99 assists, 13 double doubles, 264 rebounds, 7.34 defensive rebounds per game, and 9.8 rebounds per game. The Highlands Ranch, Colorado native finished second on the team in scoring with 14.9 points per game on .543 (127-of-255) shooting and 38 steals, while his nine blocks ranks third on the team.Â
Holt registered a season-high 24 points in an 83-80 victory over Saint John's in the 2023-24 MIAC Tournament Semifinal, 16 boards in a 63-52 loss to St. Olaf on February 5, and eight assists in an 84-77 decision over Gustavus Adolphus on January 13.Â
Through 53 career games played, Holt owns 809 points (15.3 per game), 534 rebounds (10.1 per game), 92 steals, and 42 blocks.Â
Holt's performances landed him MIAC Defensive Player of the Week on November 13, January 15, and January 31.
Cimperman finished the season with a team-leading 14.9 points per game on .454 (138-of-304) shooting and .329 (28-of-85) from beyond the arch. The Woodbury native finished second on the team with 4.2 rebounds per game, and 29.5 minutes played per game. The Pipers looked to Cimperman to deliver with the ball in his hands in the final seconds in close games as he converted game-winning shots in a 64-62 win over Bethel on November 29, a 74-73 decision over Saint John's on January 20, and an 83-80 victory over Saint John's in the MIAC Tournament Semifinal on February 22.
Cimperman notched a season-high 36 points in an 82-75 win over UW-River Falls on December 16, and eight rebounds at Saint John's in the MIAC Tournament Semifinal on February 22. His performance against River Falls landed him December 18 MIAC Offensive Player of the Week.
The scoring machine owns 1072 points (16.0 per game) through 67 career games played.
The Pipers finished the 2023-24 season with a 17-11 record, the most wins since the 1976-77 season.
