Men's basketball can't complete comeback

Hamline (1-3, 0-1 in the MIAC) trailed 68-45 with nearly 14 minutes left in the game and 83-61 with under six minutes to play, but the Pipers went on a 25-6 run to close the gap.

Forward Tony Thrasher had eight points of his 16 points during his run while guard Jon DeRock added five of his team-high 22 in the spurt. Kyle Foster's putback with 34 seconds left cut the lead to 89-87.

The Royals (5-0, 1-0) made 1-of-2 free throws on the ensuing possession before DeRock missed a three-pointer with 19 seconds left that would have tied the game for the first time since it was 19-19 early in the first half. Cory Laugen later iced the game with a pair of free throws.

The Royals led 48-35 at the break after shooting 61 percent as a team (17-28). Tim Madson netted 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the floor. Laugen added 20 points while Charles Meadowcroft chipped in 15. Steve Strom netted 12 points for the Royals.

Foster scored 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting. First-year Chad Rich scored 11 points off the bench for Hamline.

Hamline shot 49 percent for the game (33-67), but the Royals were on fire, shooting 56 percent for the game (31-55). They also were 23-of-32 from the free throw line.

The Pipers will host St. Thomas Monday night at Hutton Arena. Game time is set for 5:45 p.m.