SALEM, W.Va. - Senior Marko Tutunovic knocked down six-straight free throws at the end of the game to lift the Salem University men's basketball team over Central State 85-79, Thursday night.
 
Salem improves to 11-7 after the win, while Central State falls to 2-16.
 
The Tigers were 30-61 from the field (49.2 percent), while Central State was 28-67 (41.8 percent) as the Tigers netted 10 three's in the contest shooting 40 percent (10-25).
 
Salem shot 93.8 percent (15-16) from the charity stripe, notching a season best.
 
Salem also outrebounded Central State 34-27, while the Tigers also garnered more points in the paint 32-30.
 
Tutunovic led the way for the Tigers off the bench as he notched a season and team-high 19 points with five rebounds and two monster blocks, while senior Malik Toppin filled the stat sheet with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
 
Senior Ferlandis Penny notched a season-high 17 points and grabbed six rebounds, while freshman Fonz Hale added 14 points, four rebounds and four assists.
 
At the beginning of the game, Penny recorded 13 of the Tigers first 15 points as he notched six two-point field goals and one shot behind the arc. Tutunovic expanded Salem's lead to 17 after Hale dished the rock to Tutunovic for a three to give the Tigers a 25-8 advantage with 10:51 remaining in the half.  
 
The Tigers largest lead came at 4:34 in the first half after Tutunovic drained a three for an 18-point lead and a 37-19 advantage over Central State.
 
At intermission, Salem led Central State 39-23.
 
In the second half, Central State quickly cut down the Tigers lead to seven (43-36) with 16:44 remaining in the contest. But after two made free throws from Penny, the Tigers pushed the lead to 16 with 13:46 left in the game.
 
Central made a 14-2 run with 8:38 as it cut the lead to four, 62-58, after a pair of free throws from Tom Johnson. With 3:44 remaining in the game, Central State's Michael Reeves connected on two free throws for a 73-72 lead over the Tigers.
 
Central State led 79-76 with just 1:42 remaining after a made free throw, but the next possession junior Malique Ross found a wide open Hale who connected on a deep three to tie the game at 79.
 
Tutunovic connected on six-straight free throws to give the Tigers an 85-79 win.
 
The Tigers are back in action Thursday as they travel to Kentucky State for a 7:30 p.m. tip.