GRAND FORKS, N.D. — True freshman Aaron Anderson (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) went 10-for-10 from the free throw line in the final two minutes to lift the University of North Dakota men's basketball team to a 64-60 victory over future Big Sky foe Sacramento State on Friday at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

Anderson, junior Patrick Mitchell (Des Moines, Iowa) and true freshman Jamal Webb (Buffalo, N.Y.) each scored 11 points in the victory as UND posted its first win over a Big Sky opponent in the program's history. The Fighting Sioux, who had failed in their previous four tries against Big Sky opponents, will join the league prior to the 2012-13 season.

“That was a great team win,” UND head coach Brian Jones said. “We were committed to working hard on the defensive end and that showed tonight. Offensively, we were unselfish and we made the easy plays that were available to us.

“Then, for Aaron to come up big down the stretch just shows a lot of maturity for a freshman. All of our freshmen are playing at a high level right now and they are fearless bunch.  They kept their composure in a tight situation and that was great to see.”

Both teams played a sloppy first half that saw the Sioux lead by as many as a six points, but a 6-0 run by the Hornets in closing four minutes put the visitors ahead 21-20 at the break. Sacramento State's Sultan Toles-Bey hit the big shot in the closing seconds as his 3-pointer from well beyond the arc provided the one-point cushion. 

The senior point guard had 10 of his game-high 19 points in the opening 20 minutes as neither team could do much offensively. The Sioux shot 32 percent from the floor, while Sacramento State was not much better at 36.8 percent.

Sacramento State and Toles-Bey may have taken the momentum into the locker room, but UND gained it right back with a 14-2 run out of the break to claim a 34-23 advantage in just over four minutes of action. Webb and Mitchell both hit 3-pointers during the stretch that saw the Sioux claim their largest lead of the game.

The Hornets had clawed back to within four points with just over six minutes to play, but redshirt freshman Josh Schuler (Urbana, Ohio) connected on a 3-pointer from the corner for UND and senior Derek Benter (Crosby, N.D.) then made a driving layup to make it a nine-point contest. 

Toles-Bey would not let his team go away. After Anderson made the first two of his perfect closing stretch, Toles-Bey answered with what would be the first of a trio of 3-pointers in the final 1:39 that sparked a 6-0 run. Anderson quickly built the lead back to seven though with four consecutive makes from the charity stripe until Toles-Bey would once again hit a timely bomb from long distance.

Sophomore Spencer Goodman (Jackson, Mo.) would make one of two from the line, making it a 60-55 lead for the Sioux with 16 ticks remaining. Toles-Bey would add to the drama with yet another 3-pointer, this time pulling up from 25-feet to make it a 60-58 contest.  

Anderson was answering each of those long-distance makes with freebies. However, UND's flawless free-throw shooter would make a rookie mistake after putting the Sioux ahead 62-58. Anderson fouled John Dickson on a 3-point attempt and the junior from San Francisco would make his first two before intentionally trying to miss his third with three ticks remaining.

Fortunately for the Sioux, Dickson's attempt did not draw iron and the turnover gave the ball back to UND. The outcome was identical to his previous four trips in the closing minutes as Anderson calmly sank his final two free throws to seal the win for UND. Anderson and company went 19-for-22 from the stripe for the game, including an 18-for-19 effort in the second half.

UND also did a nice job on the glass against a much bigger squad, holding a 30-25 advantage. Webb and Goodman shared team-high honors with a five a piece. Webb also dished out a team-high four assists.

The Sioux remain home for one more game as they will play host to IPFW on Tuesday. The contest with the Mastadons is part of a doubleheader with the women's team that will be start at 6 p.m. and be broadcast live on the Fighting Sioux Sports Network and Fox College Sports Central.