LISLE, Ill. – After a difficult one-point loss a game ago, the Edgewood College men's basketball team were determined to return home with a win. The visiting Eagles did just that as they edged Benedictine University 57-51 thanks to impressive free throw shooting at the Rice Center on Saturday afternoon.

Benedictine (3-13, 1-6 NAC) scored the first five points of the game, but Egdewood College roared back using a 14-2 run over the next five minutes to take a 14-7 lead. Joe Klocek and Brett Meinecke each hit a three-pointer and combined to score 10 of the first 14 Edgewood College points. Benedictine responded by scoring the next eight of nine points to trim Edgewood College's lead to one but Klocek hit another three and Meinecke added a layup, pushing the score to 21-17 in favor of the visiting Eagles. In the last five minutes of the half, only one more basket was converted but Edgewood College (4-12, 3-4 NAC) used a pair of free throws to maintain a 23-21 lead.

To begin the second half, Benedictine and Edgewood College traded baskets back and forth before the home team opened up an eight point lead after a three-pointer and layup by Luke Johnson with 11:16 remaining.  The lead did not last long as Edgewood College tied the game at 46-46 a layup by Dylan Rusch and a layup followed by a pair of free throws by Dillon Gilpatrick. Benedictine's Dale Renshaw and Edgewood College's Luke Thein then swapped triples to knot the game at 49 with 4:01 to play. Two free throws by Rusch and a jumper by Tal Diekvoss put Edgewood College up by four and the score stayed that way until Benedictine was forced to foul with under one minute to play. Edgewood College finished 4-for-4 from the line to seal the victory.

Rusch led Edgewood College with 12 points including four crucial free throws that helped cap the game.  Klocek followed with 11 while Meinecke had nine. Justin Williams grabbed seven boards while netting seven points in 19 minutes.

As a team, Edgewood College shot 38.8 percent from the field but iced the game, shooting 85.7 percent from the free throw line including a perfect 8-for-8 in the second half.

After a two game road trip, Edgewood College will return home to host Lakeland College. Live stats and live video for Tuesday's game will be provided. These links will be available on EdgewoodCollegeEagles.com.