LAREDO, Texas (Jan. 11, 2018) – Oklahoma Christian picked a good time to end its free-throw shooting malaise.

The Eagles – who often have struggled at the line this basketball season – went a difference-making 11 of 12 on Thursday night at Texas A&M International. Junior forward Roderick Smith hit the two biggest free throws with 2.1 seconds left to give the Eagles a 62-60 win.

OC (6-9, 2-2 Heartland Conference) won a league game on the road for the first time since Dec. 17, 2016, at Oklahoma Panhandle State. More importantly, the surprising Eagles – picked in the preseason to finish last in the Heartland – are just one game out of first place in the league standings after their second straight road win in as many tries.

"Road wins in this league are tough," OC coach Cory Cole said. "I challenged our team this week to be mentally tough and play 40 minutes as that's what it takes to win games in the Heartland on the road. Our guys locked in on defense and controlled the glass. We had too many turnovers, but give TAMIU credit."

The Eagles entered the game shooting 63.2 percent from the free-throw line and hadn't made more than 63.6 percent in any of their last 10 games – including three in which they hit just 50 percent. But they were nearly perfect against TAMIU (7-9, 0-4), shooting a season-best 91.7-percent.

Despite committing 18 turnovers, OC looked to be in good shape after Smith scored with 2:51 left to put his team up 60-57. But they came up empty on three straight possessions and the Dustdevils took advantage, tying the game on two free throws by Shea Garland with 1:16 left.

An offensive foul on OC's Elijah Strickland with 49 seconds left gave TAMIU a chance to take the lead, but Dan Milota missed a 3-point attempt and Strickland rebounded with 25 seconds left. Cole didn't call a timeout and the ball eventually found its way to Smith, who drove toward the basket and was fouled by Garland with 2.1 seconds left.

Smith, a 52.8-percent free-throw shooter entering the game, swished both attempts and finished with 15 points. TAMIU managed only a 70-foot heave by Jeremy Wright at the buzzer that fell way short.

"Rod continues to get better," Cole said. "He's got to avoid foul trouble and when he does, we are a much better team at both ends."

OC eased to a 14-2 lead over the first eight-plus minutes of the game as the Dustdevils struggled offensively early. The Eagles led 33-26 at halftime and held the lead until Wright's 3-pointer with 12:39 left put TAMIU up 45-44.

The lead changed hands seven more times the rest of the way, with neither team leading by more than three points.

Jordan Box, starting for the first time in seven games, led OC with 20 points (going 4 of 6 from 3-point range) and added six rebounds and five assists. Strickland scored 12 points and center Will Lienhard just missed a double-double, grabbing a career-high 14 rebounds to go with eight points and two blocked shots. Lienhard leads the Heartland in blocks (36) and blocks per game (2.4).

Thanks in good part to Lienhard, OC outrebounded TAMIU 36-27.

"Jordan was sensational tonight," Cole said. "He had good energy and a determined look on both ends. He was a spark for us and hit some tough shots all night long. He was big on the boards too. Elijah was a calming influence for us. He did many things that don't go on the stat sheet. His leadership the last four minutes of the game was huge.

"Will continues to be a defensive presence for us. He's tough and rough. He's an interior glue guy and does a good job of neutralizing the paint. Derek Burgess gave us a much-needed spark off the bench. He didn't play much but his defense and basket were timely and gave us a lift of energy and momentum."

Wright had 16 points and Milota had 10, but the Dustdevils had their issues at the line, making just 10 of 18 free-throw attempts, in contrast to OC's success.

OC will continue its south Texas road trip on Saturday night, visiting St. Mary's in San Antonio. Tipoff will be at 7 p.m.