HAMLINE BEATS SAINT JOHN'S ON SENIOR NIGHT

Tony Thrasher (Sr., Hustisford,Wis.) helped make Senior Night at Hutton Arena memorable for five graduating Pipers, as Hamline University defeated Saint John’s, 82-64.

After an even opening 12 minutes of play, Thrasher gave the Pipers lead at 20-17 with eight minutes to go until halftime. The Pipers wouldn’t back down heading into the locker room, as Thrasher tallied 13 of his 15first-half points in the final eight minutes before halftime.

The Pipers prevented any individual Johnnie from scoring more than five points in the first twenty minutes, as they led by eight, 33-25, at halftime.

The Pipers held onto the multiple point lead for the first seven minutes of the second half until the Johnnies closed to within one point at42-41. The Pipers regained their momentum, climbing back to a 50-43 lead on an Eric Clute (So., Hawley, Minn.) trey with just over ten minutes to play.

Sam Blank (So., Rollingstone, Minn.) responded with a three on the other end of the court half a minute later to cut the lead to four at 50-46,but Carl Hipp (So., Little Canada, Minn.) responded with a quick rebound-layup combination to bring the lead back to six at 52-48.

The Pipers maintained a strong lead for the remainder of the game, as Clute tallied 20 of his team-high 26 points in the second half.

Thrasher finished with 19 points, while Hipp had a double-double with 17points and 15 rebounds.

Chris Schwartz was the only Johnnie in double-digits, scoring 16.

The game was the last at Hutton Arena for Thrasher, Brandon Hayes (Sr.,Bloomington, Minn.) Nick Hutchinson (Atwater, Minn.), Kory Kelzer (Mayer, Minn.) and Tanner Anderson (Eden Prairie, Minn.).

The Pipers are now 9-14, 8-11 MIAC with the conference win while the Johnnies are 13-10, 11-7 MIAC. Hamline will travel to the University of North Dakota on Monday, February 16, for a 7:00 p.m. game. The Pipers’final game of the season will be at St. Thomas on Saturday, February 21, at 3:00 p.m.