Late Lynch free throws seal Hartford's 79-72 win over FIU

MIAMI -- J.R. Lynch scored 14 points and made five free throws in the last 23 seconds as Hartford held off a late-charge by Florida International to win its first road game of the season, 79-72, on Friday night.

Five players reached double figures for Hartford (6-7), which is 1/3 in away games. John Carroll scored 17 points with 10 rebounds and six assists, Jason Dunne and Travis Weatherington added 15 each and George Blagojevic scored 10.

The game was tied 10 times and became a nail-biter at the end as a 10-point Hartford lead nearly vanished in the final three minutes, beginning when Isaiah Banks nailed a 3-pointer after a turnover to spark a 10-2 run and FIU came as close as 74-72 when Trejon Jacobs made a 3 with 36 seconds left.

But the Panthers fouled Lynch, who was 7 of 8 at the free throw line, including five of his last six. FIU missed its last two shots and turned the ball over once in the last 14 seconds.

Jacobs scored 20 for FIU (6-7), Brian Beard Jr. 17 with six steals and Eric Lockett 16 before fouling out.