Elgin, Ill. -- The Indiana University Northwest men's basketball fought hard all-game long and had a huge shot from Tromon Weston as the RedHawks head into the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference with some momentum as IUN defeated Judson, 79-78, Saturday, 

Jamisen Smith (Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central) recorded a basket to make it 7-2 in the first three minutes of the game. Later on in the half, Judson was able to cut it to 23-19 with 9:20 left. 

Martellian Gibson (Rantoul, Ill.) converted a huge and-one to give IUN a 26-19 lead with 9:18 left in the game. Judson fought back the next two minutes, going a 9-4 run to cut it to a two-point game.

Marshaud Watkins (Harvey, Ill.) and Weston (St. Louis, Mo.) ended their run with back-to-back baskets to make it 34-28 with 6:06 left in the half. Ryan LaFollette (Lake Station, Ind./River Forest) ended the half for the RedHawks looking for some momentum with a basket which made it 46-40 at the break.

Smith started the second half with a bucket to make it an eight-point game but Judson would rally and make it 48-46 IUN. Rashad Richardson (Lafayette, Ind./Lafayette Jeff) was able to end the Eagles run after hitting a layup with 16:02 remaining in the game. 

Judson bounced right back and tied the game after consecutive buckets made it 50-all. Richardson slammed it home to give IUN a 55-53 lead but then here came the Eagles. 

Judson rallied for eight points in a row to grab a 61-55 advantage. IUN was able to tie it right back up after Gibson, Richardson and Jason Peace (Indianapolis, Ind.) all made shots at the 8:44 mark.

A few minutes later, Richardson was able to give the RedHawks the lead again. With under a minute to go, Judson went ahead 76-72 with under a minute to go.

Richardson kept the RedHawks alive with a huge shot from deep which made it 76-75 with 49 ticks left. Smith later tied the game at 77-all with 10 seconds left with a huge tip-in shot. 

Judson split a pair of free-throws at the line with eight seconds to go and were up 78-77. On the ensuing possession, Watkins had his shot blocked and out of bounds with two seconds left.

IUN still had a chance as Smith lobbed it up to Weston and he was able to tap in the basket to win it for the RedHawks. IUN won the game 78-77.

Richardson led the RedHawks with 27 points and eight rebounds. Gibson also had a huge game for IUN as the junior had a double-double with 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

IUN heads into the CCAC Tournament as the sixth seed and will travel to South Bend, Indiana to take on third place IU South Bend Wednesday, February. 26. Game time will likely be at 6 p.m. CT, stay tuned to our website and social media for more information as we receive it.