GARY, Ind. -- The Indiana University Northwest men's basketball team shook off a slow start and defeated the University of St. Francis (Ill.), 77-59, at the Savannah Center, Wednesday.

RECORDS
Indiana Northwest (6-3, 3-2 CCAC) | St. Francis (Ill.) (6-2, 3-2 CCAC)

IU NORTHWEST LEADERS
Points: Brian Hernandez (19), Jason Peace (14), Marshaud Watkins (11), Tromon Weston (11)
Rebounds: Brian Hernandez (7), Tromon Weston (7)
Assists: Marshaud Watkins (7)
Blocks: Brian Hernandez (2), Tromon Weston (2)
Steals: Marshaud Watkins (3)

HALF BREAKDOWN
1st Half: IU Northwest 41, St. Francis (Ill.) 33
2nd Half: IU Northwest 36, St. Francis (Ill.) 26
Final Score: IU Northwest 77, St. Francis (Ill.) 59

GAME RECAP
USF started out the game on a 7-0 run in the first three minutes. Brian Hernandez responded with a three-pointer to put the RedHawks right back in it. 

Moments later, Jason Peace tied it with a three-pointer then Marshaud Watkins gave IU Northwest a 13-11 lead at the 13:55 mark in the first half. The Fighting Saints would quickly regain the lead before the RedHawks bounced back after Tromon Weston and Watkins made back-to-back shots to give IUN a 20-16 lead.

Peace hit another three-pointer then Houston hit a layup to give IU Northwest their biggest lead of the half (35-25) with 2:34 left before the break. USF responded right away with a three but Hernandez got it right back with a three of his own.

On the ensuing possession, the same thing happened the Fighting Saints got a three-pointer then Hernandez hit yet another three-pointer. USF had a second chance basket late in the first half as the RedHawks led 41-33 at the break.

Weston and Watkins started the second half with layups to make it a 12-point lead early. Jerron Tatum hit a huge three-pointer to make it 54-37 with 15:08 left in the game.

The Fighting Saints were looking to fight back into the game but Hernandez connected from deep to make it 57-41 IU Northwest. A few minutes later, Tatum gave the RedHawks one of their biggest lead of the night after making a three-pointer which made it 62-41. 

USF responded with back-to-back baskets but IU Northwest was one step ahead of them. IU Northwest went up 75-50 late with 3:09 left for their biggest lead of the night. 

St. Francis (Ill.) closed out the game on a 9-2 run but it was not enough. The RedHawks won the contest 77-59.

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 3 p.m. CT.