MACOMB, Ill. - George Hill scored 20 points and shot 8-of-8 from the free throw line as IUPUI defeated Western Illinois, 63-57, to maintain control of first place in the Mid-Continent Conference standings.The Jaguars (12-7, 7-1) led 44-42 at the 12-minute media timeout and did not record another field goal until the 3:25 mark, but the game remained close as the Leathernecks were called for eight fouls while the Jaguars went 7-of-8 from the line during the stretch. The Leathernecks (6-14, 2-7) came within one, with 3:07 left and were within two, 58-56 at the 1:08 mark, but a David Barlow three-pointer at :38 helped seal the win. There were seven ties and five lead changes in the second half alone, and the largest lead by either team was the final margin.The Leathernecks led for the majority of the first half, by as many as six on several occasions, and took a 30-25 lead into the lockeroom at the half.Western shot 50 percent (13-26) from the floor in the second half and 34.5 percent (10-29) in the second, while hitting 43 percent (3-7) from long range before the break and 20 percent (2-10) after. At the line, they made six of just 11 attempts, matching season-lows in both categories. IUPUI shot 35 percent (9-26) from the floor in the first half and improved to 50 percent (10-20) in the second, while going from 25 percent (2-8) three-point shooting to 63 percent (5-8). They shot 18-of-20 (.900) from the line, including 13-of-14 in the second half, when Western was 5-of-7.Hill was joined in double figures by two other starters - Brandon Cole, who scored 15 points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds, and Barlow who added 10 points. The Leathernecks were led by David Jackson?s 16 points while Fred Oguns scored 12 and Sammy Hunter added 10. Postgame quotes from IUPUI head coach Ron Hunter:?One of the reasons we were hoping to keep the game close is they?ve played a lot of basketball. We wanted to make them win it with their legs, and I think their legs kind of gave out at the end. We?ve been in a lot of close games and we know how to finish them right now. I think Western was just a little tired.??One of the reasons we win close games is we make free throws, we don?t turn the ball over and we defend. That?s the third straight team we?ve held under 60 points. I don?t care what you do offensively. If you do those three things you?re going to have a chance to win a lot of ball games.??Western is a good basketball team. They?re going to beat some people because they?re playing well right now. As soon as they get some practice and some rest they?re going to be even better. So this was a quality, quality win for us that we needed. I was probably harder on (my team) at halftime than I?ve been all year.?Western Illinois head coach Derek Thomas:?I thought our kids did not get to make the decision in who won the game tonight. We only shot 11 free throws and we?re a team that is defines ourself by getting to the line.?? Our defensive effort was good. It?s back to where it should be. You have to credit IUPUI. They?re a nice, veteran ball club and they hit some clutch baskets. Every time the game got tight they were able to stick with it. They came through each time with big buckets and big free throws.?Postgame notes:? Western?s 39-26 rebounding advantage is its largest of the season.? Western?s six free throws and 11 free throws attempted both match season-lows set in the opener against Harris-Stowe.? The Leathernecks have outrebounded their last five opponents, and nine of their last 11. Through the first nine games of the season, they were outrebounded seven times.? Nathan Koster tallied a season-high six rebounds.