The victory might have been a little too close for comfort for Haskell Indian Nations University women’s basketball coach Phil Homeratha, but he’ll always enjoy the first win of the year on HINU’s home court.

“That shouldn’t have been that hard,” said a smiling Homeratha, whose Fightin’ Indians knocked down 3-of-4 free throws in the final 30 seconds Thursday night to defeat Avila University, 62-58, at Coffin Sports Complex.

“Considering that I have three sophomores starting and they have three seniors starting, I should be more excited than I am,” continued Homeratha, whose team improved to 2-4. “But was that game just rugged or what?”

It probably was for Haskell fans, too, as they almost watched the Indians blow a seven-point lead in the final 50 seconds.

After HINU’s Billie Gransen knocked down the first free throw of a one-and-one opportunity with :56.1 showing on the clock, Avila senior guard Jenny McCarty drilled a three from the corner to cut the Eagles’ deficit to 59-55.

Haskell threw away the ensuing inbounds pass, and McCarty stuck another three from the other wing with 38 seconds to go to cut the lead to a single point.

A frazzled HINU squad nearly threw away the next inbounds pass as well but instead controlled the ball, and Gransen again was fouled.

The junior from Kayenta, Ariz., connected on both ends of a one-and-one, and Avila missed on a late three that would have tied the game — giving Haskell its first win ever over Avila.

Haskell indian nations university guard Billie Gransen, center, is blocked by Avila players Jenny McCarty, left, and Kayla Thomas during the second half. Gransen scored seven points in the Fightin' Indians' 62-58 victory Thursday night at Coffin Sports Complex.

Before the last-minute fireworks, Haskell’s high/low offensive scheme between senior forward Mellissa Catron and sophomore forward Samantha Pete proved dominant.

Pete connected on seven of nine shots, including going 3-for-4 from three-point range, for a game-high 19 points. Pete, a junior-college transfer from Shiprock, N.M., also grabbed a game-best nine rebounds and handed out a game-high six assists.

Catron, the lone returning starter from last season’s squad, did her work in the paint, scoring 14 points and grabbing five rebounds.

“When our high/low game was working, we were really moving the ball well and getting open looks,” Pete said.

Today HINU plays Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo.