ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College men's basketball team came up short in a MIAC game against Hamline University, 98-88 Monday night in the Leonard Center. The Scots are now 2-19 overall and 1-15 in the conference, while the Pipers improve to 11-11, 7-10 MIAC.

Macalester opened the game with an 11-3 run, with sophomore guard Nathan Davies (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) hitting a three-pointer and a pair of free throws. The lead was 17-11 when Hamline reeled off 11 consecutive points to gain the upper hand, 22-17 midway through the first half. The Pipers' lead grew to as many as 16 points following a three from TC Robinson that made the score 42-26 with 3:45 on the clock. The Scots responded with a 15-6 run to end the half, including a buzzer-beating three from senior guard Brett Olson (New London, Minn./New London-Spicer), that made the halftime score 48-41 Hamline.

Momentum stayed with Macalester to start the second half, as three-pointers from sophomore forward Ian Joseph (Alpharetta, Ga./Johns Creek) and first year guard Aidan Toner-Rodgers (Sebastopol, Calif./Analy) brought the Scots to within one, 48-47. After the Pipers pushed their lead to six, threes from Joseph, first year guard Gabriel Ramos (Dorado, Puerto Rico/Tasis Dorado) and first year forward Jackson Henningfield (Lake Mary, Fla./Lyman) ignited a 12-0 run that put Macalester on top, 61-55 with 14:20 remaining.

The Scots maintained the lead until Hamline tied the score at 67-67 with 10:40 on the clock. From that point, the Pipers went on a 14-6 run to take an 81-73 edge with just under four minutes remaining. Four points from Joseph and a basket from Olson brought Macalester to within four, 83-79 with 2:38 left. But that's as close as the Scots would get, as Hamline made 11-of-12 from the free throw line down the stretch to clinch the win.

Ten players scored for Macalester, led by Olson with 18 points to go with five rebounds and four assists. Henningfield notched a double-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, while Joseph finished with career highs of 12 points, six rebounds and two assists. Junior guard Daniel Neff (Costa Mesa, Calif./Marina) hit a pair of threes and finished with career bests of eight points and three assists, and Davies contributed eight points and two assists. Dylan See-Rockers led all players with 27 points.

Macalester continues its conference schedule with a game at Gustavus Adolphus on Wednesday, Feb. 7, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in St. Peter, Minn.