The Hamline men's basketball team moved into a tie for first place with a 77-60 victory over Gustavus Adolphus Monday night at Hutton Arena. Jay Betts scored 18 points off the bench and six other Pipers scored eight or more to help the Pipers improve to 7-2 in conference play (10-4 overall) and joined Bethel and St. John's at the top of the MIAC pack.
It was the Pipers' seven consecutive conference triumph -- something that hasn't happened around here since the 1961-62 season when the legendary Joe Hutton was still the head coach. Betts, a sophomore, connected on seven of eight shots, including a pair of three-pointers. He also had four steals, playing just 16 minutes.
Behind him was some serious balanced scoring. Kalu Abosi had nine points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Ethan Scheuring also scored nine. Dylan See-Rockers, TC Robinson, Bret Lukes and Zach Smith all added eight markers each. Smith went 5-for-5 from the fre throw line and has now connected on 28 straight attempts. His .935 FT percentage leads the MIAC and is ranked fifth in all of D-III men's basketball.
Gustavus had won the last nine head-to-head meetings between the two schools. But they never got into the lead Monday. Hamline scored the game's first five points and went on to a 36-25 halftime advantage.
By the midway portion of the second half, the margin was 20 points and the Pipers were well on their way to the win. HU led by as many as 25 before head coach Jim Hayes cleared his bench.
Hamline shot 51 per cent from the field and went 11-for-13 from the free throw line. They committed just six turnovers while forcing the Gusties into 18. HU also had 10 steals.
Kelsey Thomas scored the first 10 points of the game for the Gusties (3-7 MIAC, 3-12 overall) and went on to lead all scorers with 28 polints.
Picked for last in the annual coaches' preseason poll, the Pipers will mark the mid-season mark of the league schedule with a battle with one of the teams they are joined at the hip with atop the league. St. John's, an 87-81 winner over Bethel Monday, visits Hutton Arena Wednesday, January 18 for a 7:00 p.m. game. HU will see the other co-tenant on the top floor -- Bethel -- on Saturday in Arden Hills for a 3:00 p.m. clash.