SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Hamline (11-4, 3-3 MIAC) fell to Carleton College (9-7, 5-2 MIAC) 76-74 at Hutton Arena on Wednesday night. Despite leading by 16 points at halftime, the Pipers were unable to hold on, with Carleton capitalizing on 26 free throws to secure the win.

Hamline established early control with Dane DeDominces sinking two free throws after a foul on Tobias Averill. Carleton briefly took the lead with a three-pointer from Averill assisted by Sam Koelling. However, Hamline's Raoul Vaidya and Braedy Laliberte responded with a series of layups, including a fast-break dunk from Laliberte at the 16:02 mark, pushing the Pipers ahead. Camden Holecek's late three-pointer and subsequent free throws solidified Hamline's 49-33 lead at the end of the first half.

Carleton surged in the second half, overturning a deficit to secure a 76-74 victory over Hamline. Sam Koelling's free throw with 10 seconds remaining gave Carleton a two-point lead, and the team held on as Laliberte's final jumper missed the mark. Koelling was instrumental throughout the half, scoring multiple times in the paint and adding crucial free throws. The Pipers had led by as many as 18 points early in the second half, but Carleton's 43-point effort over the half proved decisive.

Vaidya scored 15 points and contributed six rebounds while adding four assists. Laliberte led with 16 points and three steals, converting 7 of 11 field goals. Holecek added 12 points, hitting two 3-pointers and making four of five free throws. Dominic Dosmann recorded seven rebounds and contributed six points, blocking one shot.

The Pipers will be back at home on Saturday, January 16 to take on the Oles from St. Olaf in a 3 PM game in Hutton Arena.