Box Score Getting off to a good start is one thing. It can often send a team on the way to victory.

Having a good finish is something else. It often assures a team of victory.

The latter was the case Wednesday night when the Hamline men's basketball team scored the last seven points of the game to edge St. Mary's, 69-65, in Winona.

The Pipers moved back to the .500 mark at 7-7 and crept within a half game of a playoff spot with a 4-5 MIAC mark. It was a wild game that featured a dozen lead changes and four tied scores.

Hamline was down 65-62 with 1:56 left. Dior Ford continued his streak of consistency at the line by hitting a pair of charity tosses to make it 65-64 with 1:35 remaining. Ford has converted his last 35 free throws in a row.

After SMU missed a shot, Hamline came roaring back as Bennett Cooper (who led all scorers with 16 points) converted a layup to give HU a 66-65 with 59 seconds left. (The junior added seven rebounds. For the game, Hamline finished with a 36-29 advantage.)

Marshall Jestings took it from there, sinking the last three free throws to finish off the Cardinals. 

In addition to Cooper, Jestings scored 15 points and added six assists. Austin Johnson added 14 points with a game high eight rebounds. Ford finished with a dozen points.

The Pipers now return home to face St. Olaf Saturday at Hutton Arena. Game time is 3:00 p.m.