Gary, Ind. -- The Indiana University Northwest men's basketball suffered a devasting loss against St. Xavier in a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference contest. The Cougars (17-8, 12-6 CCAC) defeated the RedHawks (14-12, 10-8 CCAC) against 84-81, at the Savannah Center Saturday.

Both teams traded early leads until it was 8-8 at the 15:43 mark in the first half. SXU scored back-to-back baskets to make it 12-8. 

Marshaud Watkins (Harvey, Ill.) later tied the contest at 24-all with 7:21 to go in the half. SXU responded with a 14-3 run the next six minutes to make it 38-27 with 4:52 remaining in the half. 

Rashad Richardson (Lafayette, Ind./Lafayette Jeff) responded with a bucket to end the run which made it 38-29. The Cougars led 45-34 at the break.

The second half was completely different. Nick Passino (Churubusco, Ind.) and Chris Robinson (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) made back-to-back buckets to start the half to make it 45-38 in favor of Saint Xavier.

SXU made it a 10-point game again at 56-46 with 14:29 to go in the game. Richardson converted a huge and-one after that to keep it at a seven-point contest (56-49). 

Watkins caught fire from three-point land for the RedHawks as the junior hit one to make it a six-point game then SXU responded with a basket then Watkins hit another one to make it 64-59 Cougars with 10 minutes left. The Cougars extended the lead to 10 points again with 4:43 remaining in the game.

Richardson tried to put the RedHawks back in the game with six straight points after converting an and-one and a three-pointer to make it 78-74 with 3:42 to go. Gibson and Richardson hit back-to-back jumpers to make it a one-point game (82-81) with 57 seconds left.

IUN was unable to score the rest of the contest but SXU made a couple free throws to close out the game. The Cougars won the game 84-81.

Four players for the RedHawks reached double figures as Richardson led all scorers and on the glass for the RedHawks with 29 points and 14 rebounds. Gibson also had a strong game for IUN as the junior recorded 16 points.  

Passino added 10 points in the loss. Watkins rounded out the scoring for IUN as the junior 10 points.

IUN returns to action at home Wednesday, February 12 as the RedHawks look to rebound against Roosevelt starting at 7:30 p.m. inside the Savannah Center.