Box Score CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Cedarville rushed out to a big lead and then withstood a furious rally by Salem International for an 80-77 G-MAC victory at the Callan Athletic Center.

Evan Kraatz made two free throws with 2.6 seconds remaining to account for the final. The Tigers had a potential game-tying heave from half court hit the front of the rim at the buzzer.

The Yellow Jackets ended a four-game skid to improve to 9-13 overall and 2-6 G-MAC.

Cedarville scored the first six points of the game and never lost the lead. The home side shot 59 percent from the field in the first half and enjoyed a 44-28 margin at the break.

It was a 51-32 advantage with 16:45 remaining before SIU charged back. The Tigers quickly got to within seven at the 13 minute mark. After the Jackets pushed the lead back to 15, Salem made one final surge to get within one with 12 seconds to go.

Patrick Bain paced four players in double figures with 19 points. Easton Bazzoli scored 15 points, Robert Okoro had 12, and Kwenton Scott chipped in 11. Kraatz and Gabriel Portillo had nine points apiece.

WATCH  |  Game Highlights

Quotable:

Head Coach Pat Estepp: "Both teams have been struggling to play well and Salem always plays hard. We knew it was going to be a physical game.

"In the first half, we did a tremendous breaking the press and keeping the ball moving. That's probably the best we've done that in awhile. A lot of guys got touches and we did a good job getting the ball into the paint.

"We also knew it was going to be a challenge without Justice Montgomery (ankle injury). He plays over 30 minutes a game and we haven't had to work against the press a whole lot against guys who are top-to-bottom more athletic than we are. Many times, we've just given him the ball and gotten out of his way.

"All-in-all the guys did a pretty good job handling it. We got a little tight when they made a run and a lot of factors contributed to that. We had a chance to pull away if we knock down free throws and could have taken better care of the ball. Our young guys stayed tough and it was good for them to get that win."

Patrick Bain: "We had four tough losses in a row, so for a team as young as we are, a win is a win at this point as simple as that sounds.

"Personally, I do a lot better at just attacking the rim and that opens my game up a little bit more. It helps when I'm on attack mode.

"Salem is an aggressive team and a little chaotic. As a young a team,  it can be hard to handle that. We're learning and that was a good game for us to win."

Numbers Game:

• Bain is 15-for-30 from the field with 41 points in his last two outings.
• Three different players registered four assists.
• Okoro was one rebound shy of his second double-double.
• The Jackets made their last six free throws to finish 20-for-35.
• Cedarville is 8-1 all-time vs. Salem. The two teams play again in West Virginia on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
• PDF Stats

Next Up: The Yellow Jackets host G-MAC foe Ohio Valley on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. EST.

@CUJackets  |  Fans can also follow Cedarville University Athletics on Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Facebook.