PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. -- The Indiana University Northwest men's basketball team used a dominant team effort in the second against Trinity Christian as the RedHawks defeated the Trolls in the CCAC Tournament Opening Round, 88-63, at DeVos Gym, Tuesday.

RECORDS
IU Northwest (6-8) | Trinity Christian (9-9) 

IU NORTHWEST LEADERS
Points: Jared Johnson (22)
Rebounds: Jerron Tatum (9)
Assists: Jerron Tatum (5)
Blocks: Jared Johnson (1)
Steals: Jason Peace (3)

HALF BREAKDOWN

FIRST HALF (IU Northwest 33, Trinity Christian 23)

• Trinity Christian started off the game with a three-pointer then Larry Lynch and Marshaud Watkins hit back-to-back baskets to grab a 4-3 lead.
• Ryan LaFollette and Jerron Tatum hit back-to-back three-pointers for an early 14-9 advantage. 
• Watkins hit a three-pointer and Jared Johnson made a layup which gave the RedHawks a 26-12 lead, which was their biggest of the half with 6:42 left before halftime. 
• Trinity Christian bounced back and scored eight unanswered to pull within six points.
• IU Northwest rebounded and scored seven in a row of their own after Nick Passino and LaFollette made buckets.
• The Trolls closed out the half with a three-pointer to cut it to 33-23 at the break.

SECOND HALF (IU Northwest 88, Trinity Christian 63)

• IU Northwest started the second half with a layup then Trinity Christian had the response with back-to-back baskets to make it single digits.
• Moments later, Martrellian Gibson made a layup which made it 46-29 IU Northwest with 15:22 to play.
• Trinity Christian looked to bounce back but the RedHawks always had the answer.
• Tatum gave the RedHawks a big lead after making a three-pointer which made it 58-32 with 10:47 to play.
• Tatum made another three later on to give IU Northwest their biggest lead of the night which was 28 at the 2:31 mark in the second half.
• The RedHawks ended up winning 88-63.

FINAL SCORE (IU Northwest 88, Trinity Christian 63)

UP NEXT

• IU Northwest will take on St. Ambrose in the CCAC Tournament Quarterfinals, which is Thursday, February 25. Time is TBA. For more updates please check back on Monday at http://www.iunredhawkathletics.com/ for more information. 

UPDATED BRACKET
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Game #1: No. 9 seed Trinity International 97, No. 8 seed St. Francis 90
Game #2: No. 4 seed Saint Xavier 71, Cardinal Stritch 62
Game #3: No. 5 seed Governors State 67, No. 12 seed Judson 60
Game #4: No. 15 seed Indiana South Bend (2-0) 67, No. 2 seed Holy Cross 66 
Game #5: No. 7 seed Lincoln 66, 10 seed Roosevelt 60
Game #6: No. 3 seed St. Ambrose 82, No. 14 seed Calumet St. Joseph 46
Game #7: No. 11 seed Indiana Northwest 88, No. 6 seed Trinity Christian 63

Thursday, February 25, 2021 (at site of highest remaining seed)
Game #8: No. 9 seed Trinity International at No. 1 seed Olivet Nazarene --- Time TBA
Game #9: No. 5 seed Governors State at No. 4 seed Saint Xavier -- Time TBA
Game #10: No. 15 seed IU South Bend at No. 7 seed Lincoln --- Time TBA
Game #11: No. 11 seed IU Northwest at No. 3 seed St. Ambrose --- Time TBA

Saturday, February 27, 2021 (at site of highest remaining seed)
Game #12: Winner-Game #8 vs. Winner-Game #9 --- Time TBA
Game #13: Winner-Game #10 vs. Winner-Game #11 --- Time TBA

Monday, March 1, 2021 (at site of highest remaining seed)
Game #14: Winner-Game #12 vs. Winner-Game #13 --- Time TBA