Gary, Ind. - IU Northwest Men's Basketball looked out of sync for most of the day as they hosted CCAC for Judson on Saturday at the Savannah Center. The RedHawks started slow and were unable to find any offensive rhythm falling behind 16-2 to start the game. IU Northwest, however rallied late and Johnson's buzzer beating triple from long distance as time expired would tie the game and force the first overtime as IUN outlasted Judson in a triple overtime thriller. 

The Eagles maintained a consistent double digit lead throughout the first and took a ten point lead to the break at 35-25 as the RedHawks shot just 29%. Judson would still lead by as many as 11 with 8 minutes remaining, however IUN would continue to chip away down the stretch and a Jared Johnson turn around jumper would tie the game at 61 with just 39 seconds remaining. Judson free throws would put the Eagles ahead by three at 64-61with 6 seconds to go when Johnson a 2022 NAIA All-American and CCAC First Team All-Conference Selection buried a three from the deep wing as time expired to tie the score and send the game into overtime. 

Johnson would put the RedHawks ahead by three in the first overtime and IUN led by one with just 2 seconds remaining. Judson's Thomas Donati, however was fouled as he caught the sideline inbounds pass. He was only able split a pair of free throws and Johnson's half court heave wouldn't go as game would go to a second overtime. Johnson continued to stay hot in overtime as he buried back to back triples and was 5-10 from long range for the afternoon and in the third overtime and with the scored tied at 85, IUN's Nicky Flesher connected on a bomb from the right wing to put the RedHawks ahead 88-85 for good as IUN.

IUN would hang on for the 95-90 hard fought victory and grab their second consecutive CCAC win to begin the season imrpoving their overall record to 2-3. Isaac Stanback also came up big in the second half and posted a monster stat line with 23 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists and two blocks. 

Game Highlights:

• Johnson's three as time expired in regulation kept the RedHawks hopes alive
• Jaivion Reid and Nicky Flesher both cam eoff the bench to reach double figures
• The RedHawks shot 40% from long distance (12-30)
• Malik Miller recorded 9 assists and 11 rebounds for IUN
• Judson's Javaris Wiggins led all scorers with a game high 30 points

Next Up:
The RedHawks (2-3/2-0)will travel to Saginaw Valley for an exhibition thiis Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT. before retunring to non-conference play this weekend as part of the Viterbo Showcase Classic in LaCrosse, Wis.