SAN ANTONIO, Texas â€" Texas Lutheran made free throws and cut down turnovers in the closing minutes to survive 37 three-point attempts by Anderson (Ind.) in an 80-76 Bulldog victory Friday at the Trinity University Invitational.
 
In Trinity's Webster Gymnasium, TLU (3-5) made 46.4 percent of its second-half shots and 78.6 percent of its second-half free throws. The Bulldogs were 22-of-28 at the line in the final 20 minutes.
 
"(Anderson) made a late charge at the end, making some threes and getting to the free throw line, but I thought our guys kept their composure better than we have all season," said Jimmy Smith, TLU's first-year head coach. "(Keeping composure) has been something we have talked about."
 
"We withstood their run, went to the free throw line and made some free throws, and we had one turnover down the stretch. Other than that we did a good job of handling the ball and did what we had to do to win the game."
 
TLU sophomore point guard Sterling Holmes (San Antonio/Antonian/Richland College) scored 25 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists for the Bulldogs.
 
"(Anderson) gets out and denies the wing, and they try to deny everywhere," said Smith. "We told our players that if they are going to push up like that then you have to go by your guy and either make someone help or finish."
 
"Earlier (Sterling) wasn't finishing, but in the second half I thought he did a great job of gathering himself and taking it up strong to get to the free throw line or making the shot and still getting to the free throw line. He did a much better job of finishing."
 
TLU senior forward Donte McGee (Victoria/Memorial/Texas A&M-Kingsville) contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
 
Max Mollaun paced Anderson (3-5) with 23 points. Mollaun was 1-for-7 from the three-point line but 10-of-11 at the foul line.
 
Anderson made 13 of its 37 three-point attempts. The Ravens took 57 total shots and converted on 22 (38.6 percent).
 
Holmes went 8-for-9 at the charity stripe, and Jordan Kouremetis (San Antonio/O'Connor) went 6-for-6. Kouremetis scored nine and collected a career-high eight rebounds.
 
TLU out-rebounded Anderson 49-29 overall and 17-9 on the offensive glass.
 
Bulldog senior shooting guard Garrett Wilkins (Austin/Connally/Colorado Northwestern CC) chipped in 11 points, two assists and two steals. Wilkins went 7-for-9 at the free throw line.
 
Wilkins' hit two free throws with less than five seconds to play to give TLU the four-point advantage.
 
TLU continues play in the Trinity Invitational with a 4 p.m. contest Saturday against Wheaton College (Ill.). The game will be played in Trinity's Webster Gymnasium. Links to live video (without commentary) and live stats can be found at tlubulldogs.com.