Once they got going, the Hamline men's basketball team stayed fairly even with St. Olaf. But a problematical start spelled the difference in a 69-50 loss to the Oles at Hutton Arena Saturday. 

The Oles scored the game's first eight points en route ot the decision that dropped Hamline a game under .500 at 7-8 overall. St. Olaf led 30-18 at halftime. The Pipers could get no closer than 10 points the rest of the way to fall to 4-6 in MIAC play at this midway point of the conference slate.

Dior Ford continued his sterling play with his first double-double of the season. The junior scored 15 points and tied his career high with a game high 13 rebounds. Alas, Ford's consecutive free throw streak ended at 36 in a row with a first half miss. But he continues to lead the MIAC by a wide margin with an .897 percentage for the season (61-68).

There were other bright lights for HU. Bennett Cooper added 10 points in the game. Austin Johnson had seven rebounds. Nick Kampa came off the bench for four assists and  Jake Kreuser (pictured) blocked a season high four shots. 

The Pipers also battled the Oles evenly (31-31) on the boards. 

Hamline heads out on the road for three of their next four games, starting Wednesday at Gustavus Adolphus. Game time is 7:30 p.m.