ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College men's basketball team dropped a close MIAC game to Hamline University, 62-54 Wednesday night in the Leonard Center. The Scots fall to 5-9 overall and 2-7 in the conference, while the Pipers improve to 3-11, 1-8 MIAC.

Hamline opened the game by making 5-of-6 from the field, including two three-pointers, to jump out to a 12-4 lead. The Pipers increased their advantage to 25-12 at the nine-minute mark before Macalester responded with a 15-5 run over the remainder of the half that made the score 30-27 Hamline at the break. Junior forward Jackson Henningfield (Lake Mary, Fla./Lyman) scored 11 of his 14 first-half points in the run.

A conventional three-point play from sophomore center Shane Anderson (Fargo, N.D./Davies) and a basket by Henningfield to start the second half gave the Scots their first lead of the game, 32-30. After the Pipers tallied the next 10 points to take a 40-32 lead, three-pointers by junior guard Gabriel Ramos (Dorado, Puerto Rico/Tasis Dorado) and senior guard Mike Babb (St. Louis, Mo./St. John Vianney) helped Macalester go on a 10-0 run for a 42-40 edge with 11:15 to play.

Over the next 7:40, the score would be tied five times, including 52-52 with 3:35 remaining. Hamline's Luke Siwek broke the tie with a three, and after an empty possession by the Scots, Conner Krenos scored for a 57-52 Piper lead. Henningfield answered with a layup, but Krenos drained a three-pointer with under a minute left to put Hamline ahead, 60-54. Macalester missed its final five shots of the game, and the Pipers held on to earn a split in the season series with the Scots.

Macalester held a 38-32 rebounding advantage but Hamline scored 17 points off of 16 Scots turnovers. Henningfield registered 20 points and nine rebounds, while Ramos finished with 10 points, five boards and six assists. Junior guard Tyler McFarland (Denver, Colo./New Hampton School) tallied eight points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Siwek led all players with 21 points.

Macalester returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 18 with a home game against St. Olaf. The MIAC contest begins at 1:00 p.m. in the Leonard Center.