The Baker University men’s basketball team held its opponent to 60 points or less for the third game in a row as it defeated Central Methodist University 65-55 Saturday in Collins Center.

After coming up on the losing end of a defensive battle against Benedictine College Thursday when BU lost 52-39, the Wildcats came out on top against the Eagles to improve to 11-8 overall and 4-5 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

“I thought our guys’ defense in stretches was pretty good,” head coach Sean Dooley said.

The Wildcats had three players score in double figures with senior Ben Steinlage leading the way with 14 points and seniors Jordan Honore and Todd Eils adding 13 and 10, respectively.

Baker shot 58 percent from the field and made 11 of 13 free throws after not going to the charity stripe until there were eight minutes remaining.

“I asked David, the official, about five minutes into the second half I said, ‘Do you know how many free throws we’ve shot so far?’ He said like one or two. I said zero,” Dooley said. “I asked him, ‘Have you ever called a game where a team did not shoot a free throw because we’re on pace tonight.'”

The Eagles got out to a 10-6 lead behind eight points from Elliot Black in the opening minutes, but the Wildcats scored nine unanswered and never looked back. Baker led 24-17 at halftime and led by double digits for the majority of the second half.

The Wildcats will shift their focus toward the Eagles of Avila University Thursday to try to even their conference record at 5-5.

“The key to beating Avila is taking care of the ball and trying to handle their pressure,” Dooley said. “They are going to get out and they are going to guard you hard all over the floor.”

Baker and Avila will tip off at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Collins Center.