SAINT PAUL, MINN.—The Hamline University men's basketball team hosted UW-River Falls in a non-conference bout at Hutton Arena on Saturday. The Pipers, who trailed UW-River Falls 38-13 at halftime after shooting just 6-of-24 (.250) in the opening 20:00, weathered the storm as Conner Krenos scored 18 of his game-high 19 points in the second half. The deep first-half deficit was too much to overcome in a 71-55 loss to the Falcons.

Hamline falls to 3-6, while UW-River Falls improves to 7-4.

UW-River Falls 71, Hamline 55

The Pipers' 38-13 halftime deficit consisted of an 0-for-12 mark from beyond the arch, and a 6-of-24 (.250) field goal percentage. Conner Krenos, who registered just one point in the opening half, engineered a Hamline unit that outscored UW-River Falls 42-33 in the second half with a 6-of-7 figure from the floor, and a 4-of-5 mark from the three-point line within the final 20:00 en route to a game-high 19 points.

Hamline notched a 15-of-30 (.500) second-half shooting mark against the Falcons' 14-of-39 (.359) figure, but it wasn't enough in a 71-55 loss. The Pipers finished the game with a 21-of-54 (.389) field goal percentage.

Tait Nelson tallied a team-high seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks, while Jake Larson led the way with four assists for Hamline.

Noah Hanson paced UW-River Falls with a double-double 18 points and 13 boards, while Jake Reeck followed with 15 points.

The Pipers will host North Central (Minn.) at Hutton Arena on Thursday, December 30 at 7 p.m.