DECATUR, Ill. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology rallied from an eight-point deficit with 1:54 remaining to close within two points, but Millikin University relied on clutch free throw shooting to top the Fightin' Engineers 80-76 in non-conference men's basketball action on Monday night.

Rose-Hulman senior Stephen Schueth brought the Fightin' Engineers within 74-72 on a three-pointer with 30 seconds remaining.  Zach Fisher of Millikin buried two free throws to push the Big Blue lead back to 76-72.

Sophomore John Czarnecki scored a quick layup on the next possession, before Fisher hit two more free throws to give the Big Blue a 78-74 edge.  Schueth grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a layup with three seconds left to bring Rose-Hulman within 78-76, but two free throws by Millikin's Michael Beaty in the final second sealed the win.

Czarnecki led the Fightin' Engineers with a season-high 18 points on 6-8 from the field.  Schueth scored 16 points on 4-6 from the field, 3-5 from three-point range and 5-6 on the foul line.  Ryuji Aoki also reached double figures for Rose-Hulman with 15 points.

Beaty paced Millikin with 22 points.  Fisher added 18 points as four Millikin players reached double figures in scoring in the win.

Rose-Hulman relied on hot shooting in the first half to build a 42-31 lead at the break.  Aoki charged the Rose-Hulman offense with 13 points in the opening half and Czarnecki added nine points.

Millikin turned its offense up in the second half, finishing the game shooting 44% from the field and hitting 24-37 from the free throw line. 

Millikin improved to 4-1 on the season with the victory, while the Fightin' Engineers will seek their first win on the young season this Wednesday at DePauw.