Michael Dillon came off the bench at just the right time for the Hamline men's basketball team Saturday. The sophomore drilled three three-pointers -- two late in the first half -- as Hamline procured a key victory, 71-62, at Carleton Saturday. 

Isaac Brooks led the offense with 22 points with Jake Larson contributing 15 and Lucas Berg coming off the bench for a dozen to improve the Pipers to 11-12 overall. More importantly, HU maintained their solo status in the MIAC in sixth place -- the final postseason spot -- with an 8-10 mark. 

The Pipers were trailing 19-13 in the first half when Brooks and Dillon rattled off eight straight points in a two and a half minute segment. It remained tight the rest of the half with HU leading at intermission by a scant 28-25. 

The Knights grabbed a 36-35 lead six minutes into the second half but Brooks quickly responded with a three-point play. Brooks, Berg and Dillon then teamed up for 11 points in a three-minute span to push the Pipers into an eight point lead that eventually expanded to 13 before settling into the final margin. Hamline shot 53.3 per cent from the field for the game. 

Ethan Scheuring led the board battle with six. 

The Pipers enter the final week of the season with a one game lead over Gustavus Adolphus for sixth place. HU finishes the season at Hutton Arena with games against St. Olaf (February 13, 7:00 p.m.) and Bethel (February 16, 3:00 p.m.)