It is a line in a boxscore that is often overlooked. On Saturday, a small number loomed large for the Hamline men's basketball team Saturday against Concordia at Hutton Arena.

The Pipers committed just three turnovers -- the least giveaways anyone can remember around these parts in a long time. They also held the Cobbers to just 38.6 per cent shooting from the field while gunning away at a 46 per cent clip themselves. Add in an 8-2 HU edge in steals and you had the ingredients for a 68-53 victory -- the Pipers' third consecutive triumph. Hamline is now 8-4 overall and -- perhaps more importantly -- stands 5-2 in MIAC play. The latter figure has them in second place -- a game behind league leader Bethel. It is also the best start for a Hamline team in conference play since the 2010-11 season. 

HU made the visitors uncomfortable from the get go. Concordia led only once -- at 2-0. Hamline responded with the next six points and slowly pulled away, going to the locker room at halftime with a 39-24 advantage. The lead rotated between 11 and 19 points in the second half with Hamline getting key rebounds when needed and forcing the Cobbers into 15 overall turnovers. 

Zach Smith had nine of his team high 15 points in the first half. Ethan Scheuring was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and added 11 markers. Isaac Brooks was a presence inside with 10 points. Dylan See-Rockers  had a game high seven rebounds and also scored seven points. Jay Betts continued his role as sixth man extraordinaire with nine points and four steals coming off the bench. 

It all added up to a sweep of three home games. The 8-4 overall standard is Hamline's best start since the 2009-10 season. Austin heins led all scored with 18 points for Concordia (6-5, 3-3).

After a busy week, HU gets to catch its breath for a while. The hoopsters are off until Saturday, January 14 when they visit Macalester in the back side of a women's-men's doubleheader. Game time is 3:00 p.m.