<rleton College men’s basketball team (15-7, 10-7 MIAC) moved up to the third slot in the conference standings following a 68-57 victory at Hamline University (7-15, 5-12 MIAC ) on Wednesday night. The Knights got a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds from junior Zach Johnson as Carleton improved to 11-2 on the road this year.
Carleton shot a season-low 34.5 percent in the game. The Knights were 10-for-23 (43 percent) from three-point land, but only 9-of-32 (28 percent) from inside the arc. The Knights’ defense was equally stingy, holding the Pipers to 36 percent shooting.
Sophomore Jeremy Sutherland returned to the starting lineup for Carleton and filled up the stat sheet with 10 points, three rebounds, three assists, three blocks and a steal.
“We certainly welcome back Jeremy for what he can do for us at both ends of the floor,” said head coach Guy Kalland. “He makes the entire defensive unit better because of what he can do at the top.”
Carleton closed the first half on an 8-2 run to carry a 31-23 advantage into the locker room despite being guilty of 11 first-half miscues. The Knights did a much better job taking care of the basketball over the final twenty minutes committing only four turnovers in the second half.
The Knights shot only 29 percent after intermission but managed to pull away, thanks in part to 14 second-half points from Johnson. Carleton made up for the below average shooting exhibition by knocking down 16 of 18 free throws during the second half.
Bryan Rosett ’09 contributed 13 points for the Knights while Carter Biewen ’11 knocked down four three-pointers to match his season high.
Carl Hipp led Hamline with 20 points with Tony Thrasher chipping in 14 points and seven boards.
The Knights will be back on the hardwood on Sat., February 16 when they host Macalester College in a women’s/men’s doubleheader. The early game starts at 1 p.m. with the men hitting the floor about 3 p.m.