Gary, Ind. -- The Indiana University Northwest men's basketball team was able to hold off a pesky Roosevelt program that almost pulled out the victory but the RedHawks were able to seal the deal and clinch a spot in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament which starts February 26. The RedHawks (15-12, 11-8 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference) defeated the Lakers (7-20, 7-12 CCAC), 81-71, at the Savannah Center, Wednesday.

Marshaud Watkins (Harvey, Ill.) knocked one from downtown to make 7-0 to start the contest. Roosevelt responded with back-to-back buckets to make it 7-4 IUN.

IUN answered right away with back-to-back baskets by Nick Passino (Churbuscbo, Ind.) and Rashad Richardson (Lafayette, Ind./Lafayette Jeff) to make it 15-4. The RedHawks had the upper hand the entire first half leading as much as 11 points. 

Roosevelt tried to carry some momentum going into the halftime break as the Lakers hit a shot with 18 seconds left. IUN led RU 39-33 at half.

The Lakers opened the second half with a basket to make it 39-35. IUN hit a pair at the line to make it 41-35 then RU scored six unanswered points to give them their first lead of the contest (42-41) with 18:41 to go in the game.

Watkins was able to respond for the RedHawks and nail a three-pointer to give IUN back the lead. Both teams would be within one possession of each other for the next few minutes then Martellian Gibson (Rantoul, Ill.) knocked down back-to-back trifectas to make it 56-47 with 15:28 left.

RU had one last push in them as the Lakers converted on a huge and-one with 2:22 remaining in the game to make it 71-all.  Jamisen Smith (Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central) caught fire from the floor as the freshman made back-to-back baskets to make it 75-71 with 1:38 to go.

This sparked the RedHawks to score six more points and hold the Lakers off the scoreboard. IUN would win the game 81-71.

Four players for IUN recorded double figures including Richardson, who had another double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Gibson also had a strong offensive game with 20 points.

Watkins scored 13 points for the RedHawks. Smith added 13 huge points off the bench to round out the IUN leaders.

IUN returns to action Saturday, February 15 as the RedHawks travel to Davenport, Iowa to take on Saint Ambrose, game time with the Fighting Bees is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.