GARY, Ind.  — Indiana Northwest earned a hard-fought 74-72 victory over Indiana Tech on Monday afternoon at the Savannah Center, holding off a late push by the Warriors in a game that went down to the wire. With the win, the RedHawks improved to 10-3 overall and 4-1 in CCAC play, while Indiana Tech dropped to 9-4 on the season.

Trace Williams powered the RedHawks with a stellar performance, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. Williams made his presence felt on both ends of the floor, grabbing key boards and converting clutch free throws down the stretch. Demarius Splunge also delivered a strong outing, scoring 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting, while Dannie Smith chipped in 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

The RedHawks came out firing in the first half, shooting 48.5% from the field and building a 40-34 lead at the break. Indiana Northwest extended its lead to 13 points early in the second half, but Indiana Tech refused to go quietly.

The Warriors clawed their way back behind balanced scoring. Blake Davison and Crew Gibson led Indiana Tech with 14 points each, while Jaxson Fugate added 15 points off the bench. Nigel Martin dominated the glass, pulling down a game-high 11 rebounds as Indiana Tech outrebounded the RedHawks 44-37.

Indiana Tech trimmed the deficit to two points in the final minute, but Indiana Northwest's defense stepped up when it mattered most. The RedHawks forced 11 turnovers, converting them into 13 points, and held Indiana Tech to just 28.6% shooting from beyond the arc. A contested final shot by the Warriors fell short, sealing the RedHawks' victory.

The game featured four lead changes and three ties, with Indiana Northwest excelling in critical moments. The RedHawks were particularly effective in the paint, outscoring the Warriors 26-24, and at the free-throw line, where they made 15 of 22 attempts.

Indiana Northwest now shifts its focus to a conference road matchup against Olivet Nazarene on Saturday, Jan. 4, in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. CT as the RedHawks look to build on their momentum.

 
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Recap by PJ Katona