ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Ja'Kair Sanchez entered this week as an 83 percent free-throw shooter for the Roberts Wesleyan College men's basketball team.
The sophomore guard was far better than average on Wednesday night, making 11 of 12 from the line (91.6 percent), as the Redhawks rallied late to defeat Queens College 90-84 in an East Coast Conference game at the Voller Athletic Center.
Sanchez, who led six Redhawks in double-figure scoring, made nine free throws in the final 3:19 as Roberts (10-9, 8-6 ECC) closed the game on an 13-4 run.
"We needed every one of them," Roberts coach Mark Saladzius said. "Tonight showed that he's ready and the moment is not too big for him. He has his routine and he was able to be in the moment and shoot his shots."
Roberts converted 26 of 34 attempts from the stripe, while Queens made just 5 of 9.
"It was a crazy game, that's for sure," Saladzius said. "We were aggressive going to the basket in the second half, and they were pressing so we were able to go over the top to get some opportunities. Give credit to our guys, Queens was a physical team and we were able to hold onto the ball and step up to the line and knock down some shots."
Shane Fanning scored 14 points, Amari Lee added 13, Kevon Wright 12, Rian Carter 11 and Abou Gbane 10 for the Redhawks.
Sanchez led the way with seven rebounds, while Wright contributed three assists and five steals. Lee scored four points in the decisive spurt and Gbane was 6-for-7 from the stripe.
Roberts trailed 30-13 before outscoring the Knights 31-14 in the final 9:54 of the first half to tie the game at 44 at intermission. The game featured seven ties and 11 lead changes.
"We know that it is a game of runs with the style that we play," Saladzius said. "We've just got to tighten things up on the defensive end in terms of field goal percentage allowed."
The Redhawks continue their four-game homestand at 6 p.m. Thursday with an ECC matchup against College of Staten Island at the Voller Athletic Center.