OMAHA, Neb. (Interstat) — Tony Osburn scored a game-high 27 points and the Omaha Mavericks used a decisive advantage at the free-throw line to outlast the Southern Utah Thunderbirds 90-85 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Saturday night at Baxter Arena.

In a contest between two teams seeking their second win of the young season, Omaha secured the victory by making 20 of 25 free throws, while Southern Utah converted 12 of 17. The Mavericks also shot with remarkable efficiency from beyond the arc, hitting 10 of 19 three-point attempts compared to the Thunderbirds’ 7-of-28 performance.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Omaha taking a 42-38 lead into halftime. The Mavericks maintained their offensive rhythm after the break, outscoring Southern Utah 48-47 in the second half to seal the win before a crowd of 3,515.

Osburn, a 6-foot-2 guard from Fairfax, Missouri, was the catalyst for Omaha, adding four assists in 31 minutes of action. He was complemented by guard Grant Stubblefield, who contributed 15 points and six assists.

Southern Utah was led by a pair of 20-point scorers. Zach Bell, a 6-foot-2 guard from Barnwell, South Carolina, and Elijah Duval, a 6-foot-3 guard from Wilmington, Delaware, each poured in 20 points. Duval also dished out a team-high five assists. Forward Jaiden Feroah of Draper, Utah, added 16 points and two blocks for the Thunderbirds.

Omaha’s offensive execution proved superior, as they scored 90 points on 77 possessions for an offensive rating of 117.1. Southern Utah, despite scoring 85 points, was slightly less efficient with an offensive rating of 113.2 on 75 possessions. The Thunderbirds won the battle on the offensive glass, grabbing 11 rebounds to Omaha’s five, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Mavericks’ sharp shooting.

The victory improved both teams’ records to 1-3 on the season. Omaha’s previous games were all road losses to Colorado State, Abilene Christian and Murray State. Southern Utah entered the game with a win over Bethesda and losses to Texas-Rio Grande Valley and Arizona State.

The game’s total points, 175, went under the sportsbook over/under line of 154.5. Omaha was a pregame favorite by 8.5 points, according to Interstat’s ELO system, which had projected the Mavericks with a 90 percent probability to win.

Southern Utah continues its road trip with a game at Gonzaga on Monday. Omaha’s next contest is at home against Concordia on Wednesday.