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WINONA, Minn. — It is a scenario that has become all too familiar for the Saint Mary's University men's basketball team.

The Cardinals once again found themselves with chances to win late in the game Saturday, but once again fell just short.

Hamline got two free throws from All-MIAC center Carl Hipp with 12 seconds to play, to lift the Pipers to a 68-66 MIAC victory over the Cardinals at SMU Gym.

“Unforced errors were the difference in the game tonight,” SMU coach Todd Landrum said. “The first five minutes of the second half, we had too many of them and we let (Hamline) back into the game.”

With the Cardinals trailing 66-61, Pat Freeman (Champlin Park, Minn.) hit a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left to pull Saint Mary's within two. SMU was forced to foul Hipp, but the 6-foot-8 senior calmly knocked down both free throws to seal win.

The Cardinals got the down the court and Chris Palmer (Faribault, Minn.) was able to get an easy layup, but with just .3 seconds left, it was too late.

The Cardinals controlled the first half, building their lead to 27-12 late in the half. Hamline responded with a 16-7 run to end the half and pull within seven, 35-28.

Will Wright (Chicago, Ill.) led the way for the Cardinals (4-12 MIAC, 9-12 overall), tossing in 26 points and adding nine rebounds. Palmer finished with 11 points, while Lukas Holland (La Crosse, Wis.) and Gary Seifert (Prescott, Wis.) each chipped in 10 points for SMU.

Hipp finished with 19 points and Mike Campbell tallied 14 for Hamline (10-5 MIAC, 10-11 overall).

The Cardinals, who shot 42 percent from the field (21-for-49) and were 16-for-21 from the free throw line, are back in action on Wednesday, traveling to St. Olaf for a 7:30 p.m. conference game.