Baldwin ? It was hard to explain the intensity inside Baker University’s Collins Center Wednesday night.

The men’s basketball squads who squared off — Haskell Indian Nations University and Baker University — each are struggling this season. Combined, the teams have nearly three times as many losses as wins.

The mid-week showdown had no conference significance, since it was a quirky non-conference game near the end of the season.

Yet the teams put on quite a show for a few hundred spectators when the Fightin’ Indians held for a 78-72 victory.

“I don’t know where our guys got that intensity from,” said HINU coach Jamie Morrison, whose 6-20 squad picked up its third road victory of the season. “I’m really proud of them, though. I think they really were disappointed by our loss to Baker earlier in the year and wanted to show they are a much better team than then.”

Baker (8-23) was trying to make a statement, too, especially freshman guard D.J. Watkins. The Lawrence High graduate exploded for a career-high 33 points, helping the Wildcats contend until the end.

“I guess you could say that because of the proximity of the two schools, we were kind of trying to foster an old rivalry,” said Watkins, who also led his team with seven rebounds. “And even though it’s the end of the year, you still want to come out and play with spirit every time and try to get the win.”

Haskell, which trailed Baker early, quickly rallied. Back-to-back three-pointers by HINU’s Corey Ladson with 2:58 remaining in the first half gave Haskell a 32-26 advantage, and the Indians went into the break leading 37-29.

In the second half, the game began to sizzle.

Baker University's Ryan Tenbrink, left, puts up a shot ahead of Haskell Indian Nations University's Topah Spoonhunter as D.J. Watkins, lower right, looks on. Haskell beat Baker, 78-72, Wednesday at Baker.

Ladson, who tied with Topah Spoonhunter for team-high honors with 19 points, had to be restrained from Baker’s Luke Harris midway through the half. The two exchanged words and minor shoves after a physical play in the paint, but both were quickly restrained and neither was issued a technical foul.

However, Morrison and BU coach Rick Weaver weren’t too happy, and each nearly drew a technical foul.

When a technical finally was issued to HINU’s Marcus Oliveira after a Baker basket, the Wildcats tied the score at 63 with 7:16 left. Ladson fouled out more than two minutes earlier, and the Indians looked to be in trouble.

They weren’t.

HINU senior Andy Deal, who scored 15 points, came down on Haskell’s ensuing possession and drilled a three-pointer from the top of the circle.

Spoonhunter hit two free throws for a five-point lead, but Baker bounced back with free throws of its own.

Haskell Indian Nations University's David Trusty (33) attempts to block Baker University's Pedro Dos Santos. The Fightin' Indians beat the Wildcats, 78-72, Wednesday in Baldwin.

Haskell guard Lati Hill’s wide-open trey with 2:54 to go seemed to end it, but Watkins answered with an off-balance three to cut the Wildcats’ deficit to 75-72 with just under 2 1/2 minutes to play.

Two Oliveira free throws and one from Spoonhunter gave the Indians their final margin.

“I don’t know what it was, but there was a lot of enthusiasm on both sides,” Ladson said. “We just want to keep proving that we’re a better team than we were at the beginning of the year.”

With a win Friday at Oklahoma Wesleyan, the Indians can finish ahead of last place for the first time since joining the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Haskell Indian Nations University's Brandon Smith (50) and Corey Ladson battle for a loose ball against Baker. The Fightin' Indians beat the Wildcats, 78-72, Wednesday in Baldwin.