BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a season defined by losses for both clubs, the Brooklyn Nets found a rare moment of triumph Tuesday night, holding off a late Milwaukee Bucks rally to secure a 96-90 victory at Barclays Center.

A crowd of 16,834 saw the Nets, owners of the NBA’s worst record, improve to 20-59 by outlasting a Bucks team that fell to 31-48. Despite being a slight pregame underdog, Brooklyn led for nearly the entire contest, using a strong first quarter and clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

The game’s most critical sequence unfolded in the final minute. With Brooklyn clinging to a 92-90 lead after a deep three-pointer from Milwaukee’s AJ Green, the Nets’ Ben Saraf was fouled with 16.6 seconds remaining. Saraf, who finished with 19 points, five rebounds and two assists, calmly sank both free throws to push the lead to four.

After a Milwaukee timeout, the Bucks’ Ousmane Dieng missed a potential game-tying three-pointer. A subsequent loose ball foul sent Saraf back to the line with 9.1 seconds left, where he iced the game with another pair of makes, providing the final margin.

The contest was characterized by sloppy play, with the teams combining for 37 turnovers. Brooklyn’s ability to capitalize at the charity stripe proved decisive, as they outscored Milwaukee by 10 points from the line.

Brooklyn established control early, closing the first quarter on a 13-3 run, capped by a Nolan Traore three-pointer at the buzzer, to take a 30-29 lead. EJ Liddell, the Nets’ top performer, was instrumental in the fast start, scoring 10 of his team-high 21 points in the opening period. Liddell, who added four rebounds, provided efficient scoring in just 21 minutes of action, continuing a stretch of improved play after limited minutes in late March.

Milwaukee’s offense stagnated in the second quarter, managing only 14 points as Brooklyn built a 49-43 halftime advantage. The Bucks clawed back in the third, narrowing the gap, but could never string together enough stops and scores to overtake the Nets.

The Bucks were led by a double-double from Taurean Prince. The forward from San Marcos, Texas, tallied 16 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Guard AJ Green of Cedar Falls, Iowa, added a team-high 20 points, while center Jericho Sims of Minneapolis contributed 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Milwaukee’s bench, led by Cormac Ryan’s 14 points and Dieng’s 10 points and seven rebounds, kept the game within reach.

For Brooklyn, support for Liddell and Saraf came from guard Malachi Smith, who had 11 points and five assists, and forward Trevon Scott of Boca Raton, Florida, who chipped in eight points, four rebounds and stout perimeter defense.

The game’s total points, 186, fell well under the pregame over/under line of 219.5, reflecting the offensive struggles for both squads. Despite the win, Brooklyn’s season record remains the league’s poorest, while Milwaukee’s late-season slide continued with their fourth loss in five games.

The two teams will meet again in Milwaukee on Friday. The Nets will first host the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, while the Bucks travel to face the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.