BOXSCORE

ST. PAUL, Minn. - David Olson (SR, Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes HS) led Augsburg with his third 20-plus scoring performance on the season as Augsburg claimed a hard-fought 76-71 win over Hamline University in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference season opener for both teams.

Augsburg (4-0 overall, 1-0 MIAC) was led the duo of Olson and Brett Sorenson (SO, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South HS), who posted 20 and 19 points respectively. Sorensen's 19 points and nine rebounds, including a 4-for-5 performance from beyond the arc, were both career-high performances. Also finishing in double-figures for Augsburg was Ben Flavin (JR, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North HS) and Jon Cassens (SR, Prior Lake, Minn.), who finished with 10 and 11 points respectively.

Hamline (2-2 overall, 0-1 MIAC) was led by Ray Brown and Carl Hipp. Brown scored a game-high 22 points and added seven rebounds, while Hipp posted 18 points and a game-high 11 boards.

Augsburg recorded the opening basket of the night, a three-pointer by Olson, and built a 15-8 advantage with just under 14 minutes remaining in the opening half. Both teams battled for the remainder of the frame as Hamline led 30-29 with 1:38 to play in the half. The Pipers went on a 5-1 run over the final minute and a half, to take a five-point lead into the locker room at the intermission.

Hamline claimed its largest lead of the night, a 10 point advantage at the 10:46 mark but Augsburg rallied back with an 11-1 run to close the Hamline lead to 60-59 with 7:07 remaining. The Auggies grabbed their first lead of the half with just over 4:30 to play and would never relinquish the lead as Sorenson and Olson each connected on 2-for-2 from the free throw line in the final seconds to seal the Augsburg victory.

For the game, Augsburg shot 36.4 percent (24-of-66) from the floor, while Hamline connected on 49.2 percent (29-of-59). The Auggies were out-rebounded 46-33 but the big difference in the game came down to turnovers. Augsburg forced 18 Piper turnovers, while only committing 10 and was able to convert those turnovers into 22 points.

Augsburg returns to action on Monday (12/7) when it hosts the University of St. Thomas, while Hamline returns to action on Saturday (12/5) when it hosts Macalester College.