Oles defeat men's basketball 71-61

Norberg went 5 of 7 from the floor, including 3 of 4 from beyond the arc in the first half, as the Oles (9-11, 7-8 in the MIAC) jumped out to a 46-34 lead at the break.

The Pipers (7-12, 6-8) led 14-8 early in the contest, but the Oles countered with a 15-4 spurt over a 4:30 stretch. Norberg had five points during the run.

Hamline was held to 35 percent shooting for the game (24-69). St. Olaf only shot 37 percent in the contest (24-65), but was 16 of 34 from the field in the first half (47 percent).

The Pipers were paced by first-year Jon DeRock's 17 points. Junior Kyle Foster added 16 points and12 rebounds for the Pipers. Leading scorer Tony Thrasher battled foul trouble, playing only nine minutes and scoring two points.

Jon Bain added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Oles.

After St. Olaf opened an 18-point cushion in the second half, the Pipers whittled it down to 67-61 with 1:41 left in the game after a 9-0 run. However, the Ole hit all four free throw attempts down the stretch for the win.

Hamline will travel to Macalester on Saturday. Game time is set for 3:15 p.m.