Gary, Ind. -- The Indiana University Northwest missed out on a huge chance to build some ground in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference standings as the RedHawks fell to Holy Cross at the Savannah Center Wednesday. The Saints (13-5, 8-2 CCAC) defeated the RedHawks (10-7, 6-4 CCAC), 67-56, Wednesday.

HCC went ahead 14-5 in the early stages of the game then a three-pointer Marshaud Watkins (Harvey, Ill.) got IUN back in the game. A few minutes later, Jamisen Smith (Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central) tied the contest at 17-all after a three-pointer with 7:38 left.

Holy Cross went on a 10-2 run the next five minutes to go up by eight with two minutes left. The RedHawks responded with back-to-back buckets by Smith and Chris Robinson (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) to make it 27-23 at halftime.

IUN started the second half with a basket by Rashad Richardson (Lafayette, Ind./Lafayette Jeff) to make it 27-25 HCC. The Saints then went on a 9-2 run the next five minutes. 

The rest of the game was all Holy Cross. The Saints went up as much as 14 (50-36) with 10:30 left in the game before IUN scored the next eight points capped off by buckets from Jason Peace (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Martellian Gibson (Rantoul, Ill.) which made it 50-44 with 8:55 to play.

That was the closest the RedHawks got the rest of the way. Holy Cross came up with the 67-56 victory.

Richardson recorded a double-double as the senior scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Gibson scored 14 points and Smith added 10 in the setback.

IUN returns to action Saturday, January 11 for a non-conference matchup against Lincoln College starting at 3 p.m. However, LC joins the CCAC in 2020-21.