Box Score It was almost exactly the way a coach likes to plan a game out.  Four players scored in double digits as the Piper men's basketball team went on a 31-11 run in the last 10 minutes of play to record a solid 80-66 victory over Northwestern at Hutton Arena Tuesday.

Dior Ford and Zach Moll (who came off the bench and is pictured here) led the way with 16 points each. Jake Kreuser added 14 points and five rebounds with Austin Johnson contributing 13 points and six rebounds as the Pipers improved to 2-1 on the season.

For Moll, the 16 point night doubled his career high.

On a day when they said their final goodbyes to former Piper great Vern Mikkelsen, HU dominated the boards with a 34-22 margin. Mikkelsen, who passed away last week at age 85, was honored in the game program and with a moment of silence before the game. 

The first 30 minutes, however, were a struggle. Hamline trailed 33-32 at halftime. They fell even further behind at 55-49 with 10 minutes left. But they scored 10 of the game's next 14 points to tie matters at 61. Then, in a dramatic three-minute timespan, Johnson connected on a jumper and a pair of free throws; Ford nailed a three-pointer, Bennett Cooper dropped in a layup and Kreuser hit a pair of free throws. 

The 11-0 run pushed the margin to 70-59 and Hamline never looked back again. 

The Pipers now have eight days to prep for their first MIAC test -- Wednesday, December 4 when Gustavus Adolphus visits Hutton Arena for a 7:30 p.m. game.