The best things in Latin’s basketball life weren’t free throws Friday night.
But the Romans figured out how to convert in time to beat Francis Parker 63-59 at Loyola University’s Gentile Center.
The victory left both teams tied atop the Independent League standings at 7-1.
Latin (18-3) hit only 8 of 25 attempts from the line in the first three quarters but hit 13 of 18 in the final period, including their final five.
“That was winning ugly, but I’ll take it,” coach David VanderMeulen of Latin’s 11th straight victory. “We made some poor decisions in transition there from about the 2 1/2-minute mark to a minute and a half left.
“We got a little lucky. They deflected some of our passes against their press and they just happened to fall in our laps.
“I’ve got to give the guys credit. Some of the guys who missed free throws stepped in and knocked some down.”
Senior guard Robin Bester missed his first four free throws of the game but closed out making six of his last seven and 8 of 10 in the final quarter.
“At halftime our coach gave us a good speech and it just pumped everybody up in the locker room, and we came out with some intensity,” said Bester, who scored 17 points, and finished 10 of 15 from the line.
“We were able to hit our free throws at the end of the game, which is big for us. We’ve been struggling in that area.”
Francis Parker guard Kenny DeVance, one of only three seniors for the Colonels (18-3), scored a career-high 25 points, including 11 of 13 from the free-throw line.
DeVance scored the first eight points of the game to keep Parker in it.
“This is a big rivalry, and I just came out and tried to play as hard as I could,” he said.
Both schools have three league games to play. If the teams remained tied in conference, Parker will win its first basketball championship in the 103-year history of the school.
“It was fun,” Parker head coach Tony Siriscevich said.
“Nobody expected us to be 18-3.”
Latin played without 7-foot-5-inch center Kenny George, who missed a third straight week with a dislocated kneecap. He could return next week. George had verbally committed to Valparaiso but backed out after coach Scott Drew left for Baylor.
After trailing 55-47 with 2:19 remaining, Francis Parker scored the next six points to close within two with 1:36 left on two Bob McCormick free throws. But Marquis Walton hit two free throws four seconds later to give Latin some breathing room.
