BOXSCORE

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg College men's basketball teams suffered only its second loss of the new year with a 72-52 loss to Hamline University in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Wednesday night at Si Melby Hall.

A tough shooting night combined with an aggressive rebounding Hamline squad proved to be too much for the Auggies. Augsburg (12-4 overall, 7-4 MIAC) was led offensively by Ben Flavin (JR, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North HS), who finished with 11 points and three assists. Leading the Auggies on the boards was David Olson (SR, Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes HS), who posted six rebounds and added 10 points.

Hamline (10-6 overall, 6-5 MIAC) was led by the duo of Carl Hipp and Ray Brown, who both finished with double-doubles. Hipp posted 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Brown claimed 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Hamline shot a blistering 58.1 percent (18-of-31) in the first half, including a 6-for-7 performance from beyond the arc and took at 51-40 lead into the locker room at the intermission. Augsburg was able to cut the Piper lead to nine on three separate occasions in the second half but couldn't seem to get any closer as the Auggies struggled to convert offensively.

For the game, Augsburg shot a season-low 30.2 percent (19-of-63), while the Pipers shot 43.9 percent (25-of-57) from the floor. Hamline held a 50-29 advantage on the boards but the Auggies won the turnover battle, forcing 15, while only committing nine.

Augsburg returns to action on Wednesday (1/27) when they travel to Concordia-St. Paul to take on the University of St. Thomas in a key MIAC matchup.