Gary, Ind. -- The Indiana University Northwest men's basketball team came back and survived a scare against St. Francis (Ill.) as the RedHawks came out on top, 75-72, at the Savannah Center.

USF had an early 8-2 advantage then IUN went on a 12-4 run capped off by an and-one by Marshaud Watkins (Harvey, Ill.) to give the RedHawks a 14-12 lead. 

The Fighting Saints responded moments later with a three-pointer to put them ahead 21-19 with 10:40 left to go in the half. Martellian Gibson (Rantoul, Ill.) nailed a three-pointer to put the RedHawks back on top. 

The game went the other way as the Fighting Saints then went on a 14-6 spurt to put them ahead 35-27 with under fives minutes to go before the break. Back-to-back buckets by Jason Peace (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Gibson ended the half with USF leading 37-33.

Rashad Richardson (Lafayette, Ind./Lafayette Jeff) opened the second half with a basket for the RedHawks to make it a two-point deficit. USF had total control most of the second half until it was 68-61 with 6:20 left in the contest.

IUN reeled off 12 straight points to take a 73-68 lead. Watkins hit a clutch three-pointer to tie the game at 68-all, Nick Passino (Churubusco, Ind.) nailed a jumper to take the lead and Richardson sealed the game with a huge trifecta.

USF fought back and made it 73-72 IUN with 42 ticks left. Chris Robinson (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) knocked down two huge free throws which secured the victory and led the RedHawks to a 75-72 win.

IUN had three players reach double figures in scoring. Gibson secured a double-double as the junior recorded 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Watkins led the RedHawks in scoring with 23 points. Richardson added 11 points to round out the IUN leaders.

IUN (13-9, 9-5 CCAC) returns to action Wednesday, January 29 as the RedHawks host Indiana South Bend starting at 7:30 p.m. inside the Savannah Center.