Duluth, Minn –The Saint Scholastica Men's Basketball team played in the second game of today's doubleheader against the Pipers of Hamline University. Today's game ended with the Pipers taking the win, with a final score of 76-99.
How it Happened
First Half
The first half opened up with each team going two-for-two, on layups, giving us an early score of 4-4. The Saints took the lead with a two-point jump shot, but their lead was reversed as the Pipers connected from three-point range.
From this point, both teams began to trade blows, with the score eventually getting to 18-19, with the Pipers ahead. The Pipers then drilled another three-pointer to secure a four-point lead at 18-22.
The Saints' Kobe Karels (Cambridge, Minn./Isanti (Aurora University)) answered back with a three-pointer following a steal he recorded.
It was now a one-point game, but the Pipers responded to that excellent play with a layup and free throw of their own to bring the deficit back to four points.
The Pipers began to continue to make their free throws, only extending their lead nearing the end of the first half.
Hamline went back the other way and made a two-point jump shot, that was quickly answered by Moe Washington (Silver Spring, Md./Hibbing Community College) who sank a three-pointer of his own. At this point, the Saints were down 26-31 following Washingtons three-pointer.
A Series of three-pointers from Hamline followed by a layup and free throw from the Saints only helped to widen the gap in the game that has formed.
With a minute and a half in the first, both teams dug deep to go on a brief run, Hamline scored two layups, and the Saints, now trying to dig out before halftime scored two three-pointers. The first half came to a close with a score of 37-49.
Second Half
The second half of the action started with the Saints stealing the ball and scoring a fast break layup securing some early momentum.
The Pipers answered quickly after with a three-pointer.
Jacquez Overstreet (Appleton, Wis./Oshkosh West (Marian University)) found himself on the free throw line, and sank one of two of his shots, closing the gap to 14 points.
Both teams traded three-point plates, but the Pipers only continued to widen the gap with two jump shots that were made shortly after.
The Saints, now in desperation to close the gap early, quickly answered with a three-pointer and layup of their own, the gap now, 13 points.
Hamline had an opportunity on the free throw line, but only managed to land one of the shots, extending the lead back to 14.
The Saints went on to hit two layups, followed by a single Pipers layup.
Both teams' defense did a good job of shutting down the opposition's offense, often allowing multiple minutes of scoreless basketball.
While the Saints were still down by a bad margin, they did a good job of getting a slight edge on the Pipers with their plays, as Kai Penny hit a layup, and with a foul on the shot, the free throw after. All of that was followed by a layup coming from the Pipers.
The Saints turned the ball over, allowing the Pipers to get another layup.
Just over halfway through the half, both teams now began to exchange blows, going shot for shot.
The Saints skillfully hit two threes, however, they weren't back-to-back as the Pipers were able to secure a dunk in between the two.
Overstreet was once again on the free throw line and managed to sink both free throws. At this point in the game, the Saints were in a bad spot, down 68-81.
Following the free throws, the Saints were unable to get any edge over the Pipers, whenever the Saints made a layup, the Pipers did as well, or they made two. The Pipers made it very difficult for the Saints to come back this late in the half.
With less than a minute to play in the game, the Saints scored a free throw, that was again followed by a three-pointer from the Pipers. The Saints answered that as well with a layup. But it was too late and the game came to a close with a final score of 76-99 with the Pipers on top.
What's Next
The Saints (7-10, 3-5 MIAC) will once again play in another doubleheader at home, this time against the Knights (11-6, 4-4 MIAC) of Carleton College, on Wednesday, January 29. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
