ST. PAUL – The University of Northwestern men's basketball team made the short trip down Snelling Avenue Tuesday night for a non-conference contest at Hamline University, spoiling the Pipers' home and season opener, 81-67, inside historic Hutton Arena. With the victory, the Eagles improve to 2-0 on the season.

After a back-and-forth start to open the game, the Eagles went on a run, extending their lead to 11 with a Cody Sprenger (Grey Eagle, Minn./Long Prairie-Grey Eagle) layup with 5:34 remaining. Hamline trimmed UNW's lead to seven late in the opening frame, but Kyle Ooms (Hollandale, MN/Albert Lea High School) knocked down a pair of free throws with 37 seconds remaining to extend UNW's lead to nine heading into intermission. The Eagles never looked back, as the visitors never trailed in the second half, opening up a 16-point advantage late in the contest to secure the win.

The Eagles used a balanced attack to take down the Pipers, as UNW had five players reach double figures, led by Michael Carney (Ames, Iowa/Des Moines Christian)'s 16. Carney finished 5-of-9 from the field, including a 4-for-6 performance from long range, while Will Gisler (Stewartville, Minn./Stewartville) and Clay Elrod (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) each poured in 13 points. Ooms finished with 11 and Sprenger chipped in 10 points in 36 minutes of play.

Northwestern outscored Hamline 42-30 in the paint. Isaac Brooks' 18 points led Hamline in its opener.

Northwestern will host Marian Friday night in its first of two weekend games in St. Paul. Tip-off inside the Ericksen Center is set for 7:30 p.m.