GARY, Ind. -- The Indiana University Northwest men's basketball team captured a key victory right before the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Tournament as the RedHawks defeated Judson, 73-69, Saturday.

RECORDS
IU Northwest (5-8, 2-4 CCAC) | Judson (5-13, 3-8 CCAC) 

IU NORTHWEST LEADERS
Points: Jared Johnson (14)
Rebounds: Jared Johnson (10)
Assists: Jared Johnson (6)
Blocks: Martrellian Gibson, Jason Peace (1)
Steals: Martrellian Gibson, Marshaud Watkins (2)

HALF BREAKDOWN

FIRST HALF (IU Northwest 38, Judson 27)

• Martrellian Gibson and Marshaud Watkins started off the game with baskets to give the RedHawks an early 5-0 lead. 
• Moments later, Damond Crosby converted a huge four-point play as the junior made a three and got fouled in the act of shooting.
• Midway through the first half, Jared Johnson gave the RedHawks a 18-10 lead then the Eagles rallied off five points in a row to make it a one-possession game.
• Ryan LaFollette had an answer after making a three-pointer to make it 21-15 RedHawks. 
• Jason Peace converted a huge and-one to give the RedHawks a 24-16 lead with 5:05 left before half. 
• Johnson and Peace ended the half with baskets to give IU Northwest an 11-point lead at the break.

SECOND HALF (Judson 42, IU Northwest 35)

• Watkins gave the RedHawks their biggest lead of the night after making a three-pointer early in the second half for a 14-point lead (43-29). 
• Judson crawled back and made it a 7-point deficit before Peace responded with a huge three-pointer to make it 52-42 with 12:58 left in the game.
• The Eagles would not go away as they rallied for seven more points in a row to cut it down to three points (52-49) with 9:23 to go.
• Gibson and Johnson made back-to-back buckets to make it a seven-point game again at the 7:41 mark.
• Judson made a run to cut it to two points again. 
• IU Northwest was able to still hang onto their lead all the way throughout and not give it up.
• Things got interesting in the final minute of the game as IU Northwest led 69-63 but Judson scored five in a row to make it 69-68 with 21 seconds left.
• The RedHawks were able to hang on and win 73-69.

FINAL SCORE (IU Northwest 73, Judson 69)

UP NEXT

• IU Northwest will wait to see their CCAC Tournament matchup, which starts Tuesday, February 23. For more updates please check back on Monday at http://www.iunredhawkathletics.com/ for more information.