Four players scored in double figures as Joliet stopped a late rally by Olivet Nazarene University at the JJC Event Center Thursday night, earning the 83-78 victory.

With less than 20 seconds remaining in the game, the Tigers sunk a 3-pointer to bring Olivet Nazarene within three points, but Joliet (15-14) managed to score and freeze out the opponent to win.

Wolves coach Danny Turner said he told his team to take care of the basketball and find proper space in those final seconds.

"We didn't know the trap was going to come that soon," he said, "but we were prepared for it. The kids kept their composure and were poised throughout those closing minutes to finish out the game."

Freshman Jalen Williams led the Wolves, scoring 20 points on 8 of 12 shooting from the field and 50 percent from the three (3 of 6). He finished with three assists and rebounds.

"Communication was key, making sure we do all our assignments and things like that that our coach tells us to do," Williams said about adjusting late during the Tigers' rally.

Joining Williams in double figures for scoring was Sophomore Niko Vassilakis with 13 points along with a pair of rebounds and assists and a steal. Romello Ali finished with 10 points. Arguis Yancey also finished with 13 points and two rebounds off the bench. 

"(Arguis) came off the bench and did pretty well today," Williams said in praise of his teammate.

Turner said that the team's goal was to be minus 10 in turnovers, and on Thursday they were, giving up the ball eight times in total and just twice in the first half. He also said they had a goal in free throws, as the team finished 57 percent from the line going 8 of 14. The Wolves shot 46 percent from the field.

"We always tell our kids you don't have to be perfect, you don't have to play perfect, but you have to play together," Turner said. "I think that enabled us to get over the hump."

With the win on Thursday, the Wolves will finish no worse than .500 on the regular season, a stark contrast 8-19 season a year ago.

"That feels really good," Turner said. "To win 15 games so far with our first recruiting class feels really, really good. Even though the work's not done yet, at this juncture in the season to have 15 wins -- we'll take it."

"We've come through a lot of things throughout the season," Williams said. "So we need to finish strong on Saturday."

The Wolves will look for win 16 and finish the regular season on Saturday when Joliet hosts Milwaukee Area Technical College at 3 p.m.