Juan Pattillo had 20 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots to help Western Kentucky hold off Florida International 81-78 on Thursday night.
Pattillo's jumper with 8 seconds to go was the Hilltoppers' last basket, then a 3-point attempt by the Panthers' Phil Gary missed with 1 second left.
Western Kentucky (8-11, 3-4 Sun Belt Conference) won its third straight game while Florida International (8-12, 3-5) lost its fifth in a row.
Sergio Kerusch had 21 points to lead the Hilltoppers, who saw a 14-point lead with 9:49 left, dwindle to one point on three occasions in the last 2:04.
After Florida International got to 79-78 with 41 seconds to go on a Marvin Roberts dunk, Pattillo hit his jumper.
Western Kentucky, which led 35-33 at halftime, shot 60.7 percent from the field in the second half (17 of 28).
DeJuan Wright led the Panthers with 25 points.
