AMHERST - Missed free throws almost cost the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team a win last week. Made free throws saved the Minutemen from a disheartening loss Wednesday.

After losing a 20-point second-half lead, the Minutemen made 13-of-14 from the line down the stretch to beat Charlotte 85-75 Wednesday at the Mullins Center.

"We did enough things to win and almost did enough things to lose, but Charlotte's a good team," UMass coach Derek Kellogg said. "But I thought our guys showed some resiliency when they came back and we made the plays we needed to to come away victorious. We shot free throws much better tonight, which was a nice sign that our guys are maturing and getting in the gym and shooting extra. So I'm happy with the win."

The 49ers cut UMass' 20-point edge all the way to five at 62-57, but the Minutemen scored six straight points to seemingly regain control at 68-57 with 6:58 remaining. Charlotte though ran off a dozen straight points to take a brief 69-68 lead.

Terrell Vinson was fouled driving the baseline on the next UMass possession. Vinson made both free throws to put UMass back ahead for good at 70-69 with 4:22 left.

"I wanted the ball in that situation to get to the line and get fouled, hit my free throws. I realized they couldn't guard me," Vinson said. "I like to step up and take big shots. If my teammates depend on me in those situations, I want to come through for them."

Derrio Green missed at the other end and Chaz Williams grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 3:40 left in the game. The sophomore point guard, who'd missed key free throws against Fordham, made both from the line to give UMass a 72-69 lead. Williams was 6-for-6 from the line in the final four minutes and finished with 19 points.

UMass had fewer fouls than usual and it proved important as DeMario Mayfield was in a one-and-one situation with 3:30 remaining. He missed the first free throw and Raphiael Putney got the rebound. After both teams traded misses, Vinson drove the left baseline and laid the ball in to stretch the Minutemen's lead to 74-69 with 2:24 left.

Chris Braswell, who had 31 points, missed a 3-pointer on Charlotte's next possession. The rebound bounced over the backboard giving UMass the ball back. Javorn Farrell and Williams then went a combined 4-for-4 from the line on consecutive possessions to put the Minutemen ahead 78-69, sealing the win.

Vinson, who had 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists, thought absorbing Charlotte's run and still pulling out a win was a sign of maturity.

"In my freshman year we cracked in those spots and toward the end of last year we cracked in those positions," he said.

Putney had his second double-double in the past three games with 19 points and 10 rebounds and three blocked shots, while Sean Carter added 15 points and eight rebounds.

UMass (13-4, 2-1 Atlantic 10) plays Saint Joseph's, Saturday at 4 p.m. Charlotte (2-1 A-10) fell to 9-6.

The A-10 "is somewhat unforgiving because on any given night, anybody can come in here and play well and have a chance to beat us or vice versa," Kellogg said. "Hopefully, my guys can come back and play Saturday."

Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Follow UMass coverage on Twitter at twitter.com/GazetteUMass. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at http://www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage.