Box Score It was a case of one spurt too many for the Hamline men's basketball team Wednesday night. The Pipers rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to close within two points of Carleton early in the second half. But the Knights responded with an 8-0 run that stretched the lead to 10 and that was too much to overcome. 

Although four players ended the night in double figures, HU dropped an 81-69 decision at Hutton Arena. 

Connor Knutson continued to light up the court, scoring a team high 20 points -- 16 in the second half alone. Brian Hartman (pictured) scored the Pipers' first nine markers en route to a 12-point night while Zach Smith added 11 (and a game high five assists) and Travis VanElsberg weaved his way to 10 and also had a team high five rebounds. 

Hartman took early command of the game. The sophomore guard provided all the offense as HU grabbed a 9-6 lead in the first 3 1/2 minutes of play. The Knights rallied to go up by six at 24-18 only to see Hamline gained the eight points to regain the lead. The visitors went on a late 15-2 tea rin the final four minutes of the half to take a 39-28 edge into the locker room. 

Knutson nailed a pair of three-pointers as Hamline chopped the margin to a single basket at 39-37 with 17:20 to play. Carleton shot back with eight consecutive points of their own -- and the Pipers could get no closer than six the rest of the evening. The Knights shot 57 per cent from the field (28-49) compared to Hamline's 43 (26-61).  

HU is now 3-10 overall, 1-7 in the MIAC. They travel to Arden Hills Saturday to face Bethel (10-3, 5-3). Game time is 1:00 p.m.