Monday night saw one of the wildest, most intensely played games in recent history at Hutton Arena.  TC Robinson hit a three-pointer -- his third of the night -- with 1:27 remaining to put Hamline's men's basketball team ahead for good and the Pipers made their free throws in the final minute to defeat St. Mary's 89-86 in the first game of the 2017 portion of the schedule. 

Robinson, who scored 14 points, was one of five Pipers who reached double figures in a wide open affair that saw both teams finish the night shooting above 50 per cent from the field. Zach Smith was 7-for-8 from the field and hit all four of his free throws to lead the offense with 19 points. Jay Betts had 16 with Isaac Brooks adding 13 (and a game high eight rebounds) and Kalu Abosi contributing 10. 

The teams started fast and never let up. The Pipers held an early eight-point lead only to see SMU roar back with nine three-pointers in the first half to take a 50-47 lead at halftime. The Cardinals maintained that advantage until Robinson grabbed a rebound and laid one in for a 66-65 lead with 12:47 to play. 

It rocked back and forth from there with both teams taking turns hitting big shots. SMU was leading 84-83 when Robinson connected on the three-pointer that put HU ahead for good. But the drama didn't end there. The Pipers forced a turnover and eventually made it 88-84 when Smith, who is second in the MIAC in free throw percentage at 91.7, hit a pair. The Cardinals came back and scored with 30 seconds left. After a HU foul, SMU missed the free throw but got the ball for a pair of three-point tries. A swarming HU defense made it too difficult to get off a good shot and, after the second one missed, Robinson was fouled with 1.8 seconds left. He sank one free throw and Betts intercepted the incoming long pass to seal the deal and improve the Pipers to 6-4 overall, 3-2 in the MIAC. The latter mark is good for a fourth place tie in the conference. 

Wylie Ferron netted 15 for the Cardinals (4-5, 2-3).

Hamline has time to catch its breath and get back in the swing of things Wednesday, January 4 against St. Olaf (3-6, 1-3 MIAC). It is the 80th anniversary of the opening of Hutton Arena, the second oldest college basketball facility in Minnesota. Game time is 7:00 p.m.