Steve Banick had 14 points and nine assists and Jon Bain had 16 points and nine rebounds in a losing effort for the Oles (2-2 MIAC, 4-4 overall).
Hiram's A.J. White had 21 points and eight rebounds.
Bobby Hunter was fouled as he cut a four-point Hiram lead to 87-85 with a rebound layup with 12 seconds left. Hunter missed the free throw.
Matt Christensen then missed a pair of free throws, trailing 89-85, on the ensuing possession. He nailed a three in the closing seconds of the game to make the final margin 91-88.
St. Olaf was just 16-of-31 from the charity stripe in the game.
Hunter had 13 points and eight rebounds and Jon Butala had 13 points in the loss.
St. Olaf plays Wesleyan University tomorrow at 1 p.m. EST.
HIRAM (OHIO) 91, ST. OLAF (MINN.) 88 HIRAM (OHIO) (3-6) AJ White 7-14 3-3 21; Brandon Pool 7-10 6-9 20; Rick Baldwin 5-10 4-6 16; Michael McDevitt 6-7 3-4 15; TC Spencer 3-6 4-4 10; Ian Pfouts 2-4 0-0 4; Emeka Mbanefo 1-3 1-2 3; Joe Opalka-Brown 1-2 0-0 2; Chuck Williams 0-1 0-0 0; Kyle Kresge 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 32-58 21-28 91. ST. OLAF (MINN.) (4-4) Jon Bain 5-11 6-10 16; Steve Banick 6-16 1-3 14; Jon Butala 5-13 1-2 13; Bobby Hunter 5-12 3-5 13; Chad Norberg 2-10 2-2 8; Mitch Haugen 3-5 1-4 7; Matt Christensen 2-4 0-3 6; Brady McMahon 2-4 2-2 6; Dan Vander Woude 1-1 0-0 3; Chris Clark 1-3 0-0 2; Robert McDonald 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 32-80 16-31 88. Hiram (Ohio).................. 47 44 - 91