The second time wasn't the charm either. Hamline's basketball team shook off a 16-point deficit to tie No. 6 St. John's at 62 with a little over two minutes remaining in the game. But the Johnnies, who have won 13 games in a row, scored the last seven points and escaped Hutton Arena with a 69-62 decision Wednesday night.
Isaac brooks was superb for Hamline. The junior forward had a team high 18 points and added five rebounds. Zach Smith offered solid support with 15 points and a team high seven rebounds (plus a game high six assists and three steals.) Dylan See-Rockers added 10 markers for HU, which now stands 9-9 overall, 5-8 in MIAC games.
The Johnnies shot to a quick 9-2 lead in a span of less than three minutes. It took the Pipers five minutes to even the score at 12. SJU edged back ahead, pushing the margin to six at 30-24 by halftime. The Johnnies came out flying at the start of the second half, outscoring the Pipers 16-4 in less than four minutes for that 16 point margin.
Hamline responded quickly with five in a row. It was still a nine point game at 58-49 when, fueled in part by Lucas Berg (who scored four points), HU took off on 13-4 surge that was capped by See-Rockers' three-pointer that tied the game at 62 with 2:17 remaining. St. John's, however, hit free throws and a late basket to earn the verdict before a boisterous crowd at Hutton.
Hamline travels to St. Thomas (9-8, 7-5 MIAC) Saturday, January 27. Game time is 1:00 p.m.