GARY, Ind. -- The Indiana University Northwest closed out the 2021 calendar year with a non-conference victory against St. Mary of the Woods, 94-62, at the Savannah Center, Monday.

TEAM RECORDS 
IU Northwest (11-4) | St. Mary of the Woods College (1-14)

QUARTER BREAKDOWN
1st Half: IU Northwest 39, St. Mary of the Woods 23
2nd Half: IU Northwest 55, St. Mary of the Woods 39
Final Score: IU Northwest 94, St. Mary of the Woods 62

IU NORTHWEST LEADERS
Points: Brian Hernandez (18), Jared Johnson (15), Ryan LaFollette (11), Jerron Tatum (10), Marshaud Watkins (10)
Rebounds: Jared Johnson (12)
Assists: Jared Johnson (6)
Blocks: Jared Johnson (2)
Steals: Brian Hernandez (2)

GAME RECAP
Both teams scored eight points a piece early on to have it tied 8-8. Jared Johnson started and ended nine unanswered points for IU Northwest to give the RedHawks a 17-8 lead.

SMWC responded with a basket then the RedHawks went on another run, this time it was 7-0 after Ryan LaFollette hit a three-pointer to make it 24-10. The Pomeroys made it 29-16 IU Northwest but the RedHawks responded with layups by Johnson and Brian Hernandez. 

Tyler Houston made a layup at the end of the first half to give IU Northwest momentum going into the break. The RedHawks led 39-23 at the half.

Marshaud Watkins started the scoring for IUN in the second half after making a layup. SMWC tried to mount a comeback as the Pomeroys cut it down to 12 (41-29).

The RedHawks fought back and went on a 7-2 run capped off by a three-pointer by Alex Constandars. Moments later, Hernandez hit back-to-back threes to make it 56-32 with 14:11 remaining in the game.

SMWC scored the ensuing basket then Jason Peace scored the next six points for the RedHawks including two baskets to extend the lead to 62-36. Jerron Tatum hit a three-pointer and a layup then Damond Crosby made a three-pointer to make it 74-41 IU Northwest with seven minutes left.

It was already too late for SMWC to come back as the RedHawks held onto their big lead. Jimmie Washington had a stretch where he scored four straight for IU Northwest to make it 85-47 under four minutes left.

IU Northwest ended up winning the game 94-62.

UP NEXT
IU Northwest will be back in action Sunday, January 2 as the RedHawks travel to NCAA Division II Saginaw Valley State in an exhibition matchup starting at 3 p.m. CT. The RedHawks resume Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference play Wednesday, January 5 against Saint Xavier at the Savannah Center starting at 7:30 p.m. CT.