UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill. -- The Indiana University Northwest men's basketball team used a strong first half against Governors State as the RedHawks defeated the Jaguars at the Athletics and Recreation Center, 80-65, Monday.

TEAM RECORDS 
IU Northwest (19-6, 13-5 CCAC) | Govenors State (9-15, 6-11 CCAC)

QUARTER BREAKDOWN
1st Half: IU Northwest 45, Governors State 19
2nd Half: Governors State 46, IU Northwest 35
Final Score: IU Northwest 80, Governors State 65

IU NORTHWEST LEADERS
Points: Jared Johnson (25), Marshaud Watkins (17), Jason Peace (10)
Rebounds: Jared Johnson (11)
Assists: Jared Johnson (7)
Blocks: Jared Johnson (1), Jason Peace (1), Marshaud Watkins (1)
Steals: Jason Peace (1), Marshaud Watkins (1)

GAME RECAP
Both teams had slow starts to the game on offense as Marshaud Watkins opened the game with a jump shot.  GSU responded with a 7-2 run to go up 7-4 with 13:25 left in the half. 

Jared Johnson responded with a three-point play to tie the game up. Both teams went back-and-forth for the next few minutes. 

The Jaguars were up 14-13 with 10 minutes left then the RedHawks went on a 16-0 run after back-to-back threes by Johnson and Damond Crosby. 

GSU responded with a pair of free throws and a basket then Johnson scored eight straight points for the RedHawks to give IU Northwest a 38-18 lead. The Jaguars split a pair at the free throw line then the RedHawks scored the last seven points of the half after a three-pointer by Alex Constandars and layups by VaShawn Sims and Watkins to give IUN an 45-19 advantage at the break.

The Jaguars started the second half with two straight layups. Watkins hit a jumper and Sims made a three-pointer for the response. 

The IU Northwest lead was cut down to 12 (61-49) with under 10 minutes remaining in the game. Watkins made a basket then Johnson hit a three-pointer to make it a 17-point lead again. 

Moments later, GSU cut it back down to 11 points but IU Northwest was able to stretch it back out thanks a layup by Brian Hernandez. The RedHawks held onto their double-digit lead the rest of the way with IU Northwest winning 80-65.

UP NEXT
IU Northwest will be back in action Wednesday, February 9 as the RedHawks host Trinity International for Senior Night starting at 7:30 p.m. CT. IU Northwest will honor their seniors prior to the game.