Box Score It was almost a coach's dream. Hamline men's basketball used a balanced scoring attack (three players in double digits), a solid rebounding game (38-33 edge) and their best defensive effort of the season to defeat Concordia, 66-49, at Hutton Arena Saturday. The win ended a mini-losing streak at two games and improved the Pipers to 4-2 overall, 1-1 in the MIAC.

Dior Ford and Austin Johnson shared scoring honors with 14 points each while Dylan See-Rockers kicked in 10. Travis Johnson (pictured) snared a game high eight rebounds and distributed seven assists. (Both are also career bests.) Austin Johnson added seven rebounds to his impressive performance. 

Hamline broke away from a 7-7 tie with eight unanswered points midway in the opening 20 minutes. The Pipers kept the pressure up on the Cobbers and led, 32-21, at the break. 

CC made a run at Hamline in the second half, lowering the margin to four points at 39-35 with 14 minutes left. That's when Ford, who had just one basket in the first half, went to work. The senior, who is two points shy of 1,200 for his career, connected on three straight baskets to put the margin back at double digits. Concordia got no closer than eight points the rest of the day.

Hamline held Concordia to just 38.2 per cent shooting from the field (21-55). It was just the second time in their last 90 games that the Cobbers had been held under 50 points. They also took good care of the ball, committing a season low seven turnovers. 

HU has pair of away games on their plate for next week. First up: Bethel on Wednesday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, December 13, they are at Gustavus Adolphus for a 3:00 p.m. game.