The Pipers (8-15, 6-12 in the MIAC) led 79-78 after a Sam Wiener free throw with 39 seconds left in the contest. Wiener made the front end of the double bonus, but missed the second. Wiener got his own rebound to allow the Pipers to milk another 35 seconds off the clock.
The Gusties (13-10, 11-7) grabbed the defensive rebound off the ensuing possession, but had just 2.9 seconds to go the length of the court. Kujolic knocked the inbounds pass away near half court, and the Gusties never got a shot off.
DeRock led all scorers with 22 points - 17 coming in the first half - as the Pipers grabbed a 42-39 halftime lead. DeRock shot 7-of-12 from the floor in the contest. First-year Erik Gusaas came off the bench to shoot 6-of-6 from the floor and score 16 points. Senior Sam Wiener added 12 points.
The Gusties were led by Phil Sowden's 20 points on 7-of-8 from the field. Kane Sivesind added 16 points.
The Pipers shot 49.2 percent for the game (29-59) and never trailed in the second half. The Gusties tied the score on two occasions late in the game, but the Pipers responded on their next possession.