ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Augsburg University men's basketball team was defeated in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday afternoon, falling 58-57 to Hamline University in Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play at Hutton Arena.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Hamline 58, Augsburg 57
LOCATION: Hutton Arena, St. Paul, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 7-17 overall (5-14 MIAC), Hamline 13-10 overall (9-9 MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• After falling behind 10-4 early, the Auggies rallied to erase the deficit and gain their first lead of the game at 15-12 with 7:30 remaining in the half. Augsburg led by as many as five, but Hamline responded to tie the game at 24 at the half.
• Augburg controlled the opening minutes of the second half, working out to a game-high 10-point lead at 40-30 with 14:20 to play. The Pipers mounted a swift response, erasing the double-digit deficit and retying the game with a 10-0 run that took less than two minutes. The Auggies were able to regain the lead and hold a narrow advantage for most of the game's final 10 minutes, but with Augsburg leading 57-56, Hamline drew a foul with just three seconds on the clock and sank both subsequent free throws to regain the lead and secure the win.
• Conner Knoepfle (SR, Andover, Minn./Andover HS) led the Auggies with 14 points, three steals, and two rebounds in the game. Colin Meade (JR, Rochester, Minn./Lourdes HS) was just behind him with 11 points and two rebounds while Bradley Winter (SR, Winona, Minn./Winona HS) finished with 10 points and six rebounds.
• Kayser Hassan (FY, Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview HS) nearly logged the first double-double of his career, scoring nine points and pulling down 10 rebounds in the game. Will Blascziek (SO, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North HS) added eight points and six rebounds for Augsburg.
• Augsburg was more effective at scoring on second-chance opportunities, turning 11 offensive rebounds into 11 points while Hamline only managed six points off seven offensive rebounds.

FOR THE FOES
• Mick Wherley led all scorers with 17 points and nine rebounds while Austin Holt notched a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double.

UP NEXT
• The Auggies will wrap up their season hosting Macalester next Saturday (2/18) at 1 pm.