CLINTON, Iowa - Even Hollywood's best screenwriters would have a tough time topping this one.

With ice in his veins, sophomore forward Matthias Burns of Chicago calmly drained a pair of free throws with seven seconds remaining to seal a remarkable win over William Penn University on Wednesday, 86-83.

Just the perfect script.

After a desperation heave from beyond the arc by Jesse DeGeest grazed front iron with time expired on the clock, the Saints (17-9, 8-4 MCC) celebrated at midcourt, the program's first triumph over the Statesmen (18-8, 7-5 MCC) since Jan. 25, 2003.

But Burns had his struggles from the line to that critical junction, making just 1-of-4 attempts before the critical junction. He showed his steely resolve following a timeout, hitting nothing but net on both tries.

"I've never been the one to shoot free throws towards the end of the game," Burns said. "I didn't want to miss, but I also didn't feel any pressure."

Burns finished with nine points and eight rebounds.

With some decisive help from the home crowd, the Saints extended their winning streak to five games and moved into a three-way tie at the top of the Midwest Collegiate Conference standings with No. 17 Grand View University and St. Ambrose University.

Grand View was upset earlier tonight by Waldorf College, sustaining what has been a wild scramble for the regular-season conference crown.

"This was obviously a big win for us, but we had some guys really step up and make some big plays," AU Head Coach Andy Eberhart said. "The league is still wide open. On paper we might not have won the rebounding battle, but we got the ones we needed to seal the victory."

The Saints came out firing early and led by one at the half after senior Daniel Joiner of West Chicago, Ill., dropped a floater in the lane for a 40-39 lead. Junior sharpshooter Devin Ehrich of Thomson, Ill., provided instant offense off the bench, drilling three treys for 11 points in 10 minutes.

The second half turned into somewhat of a contest at the charity stripe as the two teams combined for 43 attempts, including 29 stationary shots by William Penn.

At one point after DeGeest made seven straight free throws on consecutive possessions, the Saints' contingent rose to their feet and rocked Kehl Arena, rattling the Statesmen guard to back-to-back misses.

High-scoring Kris Miller (14 points) was also affected by the noise, missing the potential tying and go-ahead free throws with seven ticks left in regulation.

"The crowd was amazing and our kids fed off of it," Eberhart said. "This was one of the best crowds I've ever seen here (in 14 years of coaching)."

The Saints led by as many as 12 in the second half, but C.J. Hampton pulled William Penn to within one on a trey and gave his team the lead with another longball at the top of the key with just over six minutes remaining. The teams would exchange leads six times before Miller put WPU up by one with 28 seconds left.

Joiner then converted a tough scoop shot in the lane but Miller was fouled with a chance to be the hero. Burns corralled the back end of both of his misses and drew a foul.

Tonight's win set up the Saints for a pivotal showdown against the 17th-ranked Vikings of Grand View on Saturday in Kehl Arena. Ashford has already avenged losses to then MCC-leading Viterbo University and now William Penn.

The Saints are hoping the Vikings (lost at Grand View, 77-66 on Jan. 9) are next on the list.

"Our players have put themselves in a position to do it," Eberhart said. "We've had great leadership, but we can't get ahead of ourselves. We need to take it one game at a time."