MINNEAPOLIS -- Augsburg University nearly rallied back from a 16-point second-half deficit, but could not overcome Hamline University, falling 77-71 in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball game on Wednesday evening at Si Melby Hall.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Hamline 77, Augsburg 71
LOCATION: Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Augsburg 9-12 overall (5-7 MIAC), Hamline 12-9 overall (8-4 MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Hamline used a 10-2 run midway through the first half to take a double-digit lead, eventually leading by 16 points, 49-33 with 16:25 left in the game. The Auggies slowly chipped away at the lead, cutting it to six points, but could not get any closer down the stretch. 
• Hamline took advantage of 13 first-half turnovers by the Auggies to score 23 points, en route to a 29-14 game advantage in points off-turnovers. Hamline connected on 51.9 percent (28-of-54) from the field, compared to 44.1 percent (26-of-59) for the Auggies. Augsburg connected on just 15-of-24 from the free-throw line, compared to 15-of-28 for the Pipers.
• Elias Batala (SO, Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview HS) scored a season-high 22 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, adding two assists.
• Andy Stafford (SR, Hopkins, Minn./Hopkins HS), who was honored before the game for recently surpassing the 1,000-point mark for his career, scored in double figures for the 13th time this season, with 18 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. He now has 1,197 points in his collegiate career.
• Will Blascziek (SR, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North HS) scored 11 points with eight rebounds and three steals.

FOR THE FOES
• Bradley Cimperman scored 24 points with 12 rebounds and a blocked shot to lead Hamline.
• Raoul Vaidya scored 15 points with four assists and three steals, and Dominic Dosmann scored 12 points.

UP NEXT
• Augsburg travels to face St. Olaf College on Saturday (2/8) at 3 p.m. in Northfield, Minn.