GARY, Ind. -- The Indiana University Northwest pulled off a huge 57-53 victory for their fourth Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference win of the season in an upset against the University of St. Francis (Ill.), who is receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches Poll.

TEAM RECORDS
IU Northwest (6-3, 4-1 CCAC) | (RV) St. Francis (Ill.) (8-3, 5-1 CCAC) 

QUARTER BREAKDOWN
1st Quarter: (RV) St. Francis (Ill.) 12, IU Northwest 10
2nd Quarter: IU Northwest 14, (RV) St. Francis (Ill.) 12
Halftime Score: IU Northwest 24, (RV) St. Francis (Ill.) 24
3rd Quarter: IU Northwest 18, (RV) St. Francis (Ill.) 12
4th Quarter: (RV) St. Francis (Ill.) 18, IU Northwest 15
Final Score: IU Northwest 57, (RV) St. Francis (Ill.) 53

IU NORTHWEST LEADERS
Points: Michaela Schmidt (18), Karli Miller (17), Sarah Martin (11)
Rebounds: Tiara Jackson (12), Michaela Schmidt (11)
Assists: Sarah Martin (4)
Blocks: Tiara Jackson (2)
Steals: Alyna Santiago (2)

GAME RECAP
St. Francis started the game on a 12-4 run before the RedHawks responded. IU Northwest went on a 6-0 run to close out the first quarter after baskets by Sarah Martin, Tiara Jackson and Samantha Martin. 

USF started the second quarter with back-to-back buckets to make it 16-10. The RedHawks cut it back down to one after Jackson made a layup and Sarah Martin hit a three-pointer.

Both teams traded baskets then the RedHawks took their first lead of the game after Michaela Schmidt and Jackson made layups to make it 19-18 with 4:31 left in the first half. Karli Miller was able to make it 24-21 with two minutes left.

The Fighting Saints hit a three towards the end of the half to tie it at 24-all. Both teams went into the break tied at 24 a piece.

IU Northwest started the second half with a 10-0 run to pull ahead 34-24 in the first three and a half minutes of the third. USF fought back and scored six unanswered to make it within four points. 

Both teams traded baskets most of the way through the third quarter. Lauren Smolen converted on a huge second chance bucket and Miller made a pair at the line to give IU Northwest a 42-34 advantage late in the third. 

USF was able to get a bucket late in the third quarter but that was all. IUN led 42-36 after the third quarter. 

The Fighting Saints were able to cut it back down to six again with 6:24 left in the game but IU Northwest stretched it back out to double-digits after Miller made a layup. USF made things interesting after making it a four-point game (53-49) with 1:20 left in the game.

St. Francis (Ill.) made it as close as two a few times late in the game (55-53) but IU Northwest was able to put them away. Schmidt hit a pair of clutch free throws with a few seconds left to ice the game and give the RedHawks a 57-53 victory.

UP NEXT
IU Northwest will be back in action Saturday, December 4 as the RedHawks host Lincoln Christian for a non-conference matchup at the Savannah Center starting at 5 p.m. CT.