The victory photo taken Saturday night showcases faces full of sweat and smiles surrounded by family members and friends.

When Haskell Indian Nations University men’s basketball players look back at the fond image from their 97-92 victory over 19th-ranked College of the Ozarks, a picture alone won’t capture completely their monumental Senior Night.

Not the players hanging on the rims right after the game, or HINU coaches bear-hugging on the sidelines while Haskell fans rushed the court. It was pure joy at Coffin Complex — a rare emotion for a team that has lost half its conference games by just five points or less.

In fact, HINU coach Jamie Morrison was so taken aback that he nearly was speechless. Well, that is until Jamison King reminded Morrison of what he had told his players after their celebration in the locker room.

“With all the respect in the world to KU, I think we had the biggest win in Lawrence today,” Morrison said.

The Indians probably did.

It certainly was the biggest victory in Morrison’s two years at Haskell. The triumph Saturday even could lift Haskell (6-23) into the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference postseason tournament if it can find any success in its final three games — especially Tuesday, when HINU will play host to Peru State in a make-up game.

Peru State and Haskell were tied for fifth entering Saturday, but only the top four teams are eligible for the league tourney.

Haskell’s victory didn’t come easily. Even after HINU rallied from a 45-44 halftime deficit and built a nine-point lead with five minutes to play, the Indians had to hang on for dear life.

Haskell's Topah Spoonhunter (40) hugs Casey Johnson after the Fightin' Indians beat No. 19 College of the Ozarks. HINU won, 97-92, Saturday at Coffin Complex.

Mark Schweitzer cut HINU’s lead to 88-87 with 1:35 remaining, and Haskell immediately turned the ball over.

But the Bobcats gave the ball right back, and Lonnie Favel, one of six Indians who tallied double figures, knocked down an open jumper.

Raymond Parker hit another basket, and Chad Kaler, who led Haskell with 17 points, knocked down five free throws in the final 40 seconds to preserve the victory and hand Ozarks just its second conference loss.

“This was absolutely a huge win for us and the program,” said Kaler, who came off the bench with Favel (10 points) and Lati Hill (12) to combine for 39 points.

“It’s not only big for us because we now have a chance for the postseason, but it’s a tremendous step for this program.”

Haskell's Honey Round Face (35) goes up for a shot over College of the Ozarks defender Janessa DeMuth. The Fightin' Indians lost, 72-49.

Senior Corey Ladson — who added 16, including two of the Indians’ 11 three-pointers –agreed, saying he was glad he used his last semester of eligibility in the second half of the season.

“We’ve been building toward these kind of games all year long,” Ladson said. “It’s just a wonderful way to end our careers at home.”

Ozarks women 72, Haskell 49

The Haskell women were not as fortunate, as Ozarks (18-3) cruised. Honey Round Face led Haskell (9-14) with 13 points, and Melinda Adams added 10. The Indian women also will close their season at home with a 5:30 p.m. game Tuesday against Peru State.