FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Once again free throws and turnovers are a major talking point following an Indiana Wesleyan University men's basketball game. This time it's all positives as Indiana Wesleyan collected a critical 75-68 road victory at University of Saint Francis (Ind.) in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The Wildcats had struggled to a 3-8 record heading into tonight's game at Saint Francis (13-8, 4-5 MCC). Two of the main culprits during the cold streak have been free throws and turnovers. Tonight, the Wildcats hit 24-of-33 (72.3-percent) free throws and committed just nine turnovers.

Most impressive in the win was the free throw shooting for Indiana Wesleyan in the final minute and a half to close out the game. Indiana Wesleyan was 11-of-13 in the final 1:28 and 9-of-10 in the final minute of play to close out Saint Francis. Senior guard David Peters, who attempted just two free throws all season, was 5-of-6 over the final 60 seconds of play. Peters finished with a season-high eight points.

The Wildcats struggled after building an early 14-8 lead. Over the next seven minutes the Cougars turned the table with a 17-5 run to turn a six point deficit into a six point advantage. IWU trailed 29-23 with 4:04 remaining but would close out the half on an 11-4 run for a 34-33 lead.

Over the first nine minutes of the second half the lead for either team did not exceed five points. Not until freshman guard Zac Vandewater scored a layup for a 51-44 lead with 10:51 on the clock.

Indiana Wesleyan (13-8, 5-4 MCC) increased the lead to as many as nine but Saint Francis fought back to within three (58-55) with less than four minutes to play. But IWU answered with scores in three of their next four possessions. Junior forward Patrick Hopkins hit two free throws and then scored in the paint the next time down the floor. Junior guard George Jones IV finished the stretch as he scored on a fast break off a turnover to push the Indiana Wesleyan lead to 64-55 with two minutes remaining.

Indiana Wesleyan closed out the game by nailing 11-of-13 free throws down the stretch for the important MCC road win.

Hopkins came up big for the Wildcats with 23 points. He was 8-of-12 from the field and 7-of-9 from the foul line. Sophomore guard Jordan Weidner added 13 points and senior guard Derrick Troyer contributed 10 points, six boards, and three assists.

Indiana Wesleyan shot 54.3-percent (25 of 46) on the evening while holding Saint Francis to just 39.3-percent (22 of 56). IWU connected on 64.7-percent (11 of 17) of their shots in the second half plus 76.0-percent (19 of 25) from the charity stripe.

Indiana Wesleyan returns to action at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 21 as the Wildcats travel to Indianapolis, Indiana for a date with Marian (Ind.) University.