SAINT PAUL, MINN.--The Hamline University men's basketball team defeated Augsburg 87-53 at Hutton Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Pipers impove to 8-7, 4-2 MIAC, while the Auggies fall to 6-8, 3-3 MIAC. This victory marks Hamline's fifth consecutive win against the Auggies, showcasing their dominance in recent matchups.

Hamline 87, Augsburg 54

In the first half, the Pipers established an early lead over Augsburg, finishing with a 39-22 advantage. The half began with Will Blascziek of Augsburg scoring the first points, but Hamline quickly responded with a layup by Brendan Ebel at 18:59. Hamline's Austin Holt made a notable impact, contributing a defensive rebound, a fast-break dunk at 17:43, and two free throws shortly after. Hamline's defense was strong, forcing the Auggies into 10 turnovers and registering eight steals, with Ebel scoring 11 points by the end of the half, helping them create a significant 39-22 lead.

The second half began with a series of missed shots and fouls, as both teams struggled to find their rhythm early on. Augsburg's Will Blascziek made two consecutive free throws at 18:35, briefly narrowing the score gap to 39-24. The Pipers responded by capitalizing on turnovers and defensive rebounds, with Bradley Cimperman and Raoul Vaidya leading a scoring surge that extended their lead. Austin Holt contributed significantly with crucial free throws and a three-pointer, while Augsburg's Elias Batala attempted to close the gap with fast-break layups. Ultimately, Hamline maintained a strong offensive presence, outscoring the Auggies 48-31 in the half, highlighted by a series of successful plays from Holt and Cimperman. Additionally, Hamline matched their season-high with 13 steals, emphasizing their defensive prowess in an 87-53 victory.

Austin Holt led the Pipers with 21 points, contributing significantly with six baskets made and shooting 87.5% from the free-throw line, hitting seven-of-eight attempts. Holt also added nine rebounds and four assists. Brendan Ebel was another top performer, scoring 18 points, with eight shots made and three steals. Raoul Vaidya added to the team's offense with 12 points and led with five assists. Bradley Cimperman contributed 14 points, securing seven rebounds and one block. As a team, Hamline shot .517 (31-of-60) from the field, .478 (11-of-23) from the three-point line, and .875 (14-of-16) from the free throw line. Their defense held Augsburg to a dismal .188 (3-of-16) mark from beyond the arc.

Will Blascziek contributed nine points, shooting three-for-eight from the field, including one 3-pointer, and added two free throws for the Auggies. He also recorded one steal and one assist. Elias Batala matched Blascziek with nine points, making four-of-nine shots and one-of-four free throws. Batala also secured four rebounds and two assists. Trent Gomez, coming off the bench, added eight points, with a notable performance in rebounding, securing five total rebounds, and contributing one block and one steal. Zach Jacobson provided a solid performance with six points, hitting three-of-six shots, and contributed two rebounds.

The Pipers will travel to St. Olaf on Wednesday, January 15 for a 5:30 p.m. game.