GUNNISON, Colo. --- The Western Colorado men's basketball team was clutch at the free throw line down the stretch to pull away from Midland University for a 61-54 victory in its home opener Friday at Paul Wright Gym during the Comfort Inn Classic.

The Mountaineers (1-2 overall) went 8-for-8 from the line over the final 46 seconds to turn a two-point lead into an eventual seven-point victory.

A key moment came with the Mountaineers clinging to a 53-51 lead with less than a minute left when on a missed 3-pointer, Monroe Porter grabbed one of his team-high 12 rebounds and was fouled. The senior sank both free throws with 46 second remaining to make it a 55-51 advantage.

Midland (2-5) drained a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 55-54 with 32 seconds remaining, but James Willis went to the line and knocked down two free throws with 26 seconds left to make it a 3-point game.

A missed 3-pointer by the Warriors and two more Willis free throws made it 59-54 with 17 seconds remaining as the Mountaineers eventually came away with 61-54 victory.

Porter had a huge all-around game for WCU as he finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and a steal. Cole Sienknecht finished with 14 pounds and six rebounds while Jackson Ehrlin also had a double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, a team-high six assists and two blocks.

WCU defensively held Midland to 33.9 percent shooting from the field, including 4-for-23 from 3-point range. The Mountaineers also benefited with the Warriors going 8-for-17 (47.1 percent) from the free throw line.

The Mountaineers shot 40.8 percent from the field, going 5-for-18 from 3-point range. 

WCU returns to action 7 p.m. Saturday as it takes on Pacific Union at Paul Wright Gym in the final game of the Comfort Inn Classic.