GARY, Ind. — The Indiana Northwest men's basketball team emerged victorious in a gritty rematch of last season's CCAC Championship, defeating IU South Bend 79-70 on Wednesday night at the Savannah Center. The RedHawks extended their unbeaten start in conference play while securing head coach Javier Heridia's 150th career victory, a milestone moment in his storied career.
Indiana Northwest (6-1, 2-0 CCAC) relied on a balanced offensive performance, led by senior guard Trace Williams, who poured in 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting. Williams also dished out seven assists, grabbed five rebounds, and recorded two steals in a complete performance. Caleb Jenkins provided a long-range spark, sinking four 3-pointers as part of a 17-point, seven-rebound effort. Forward Dannie Smith controlled the paint, finishing with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Anthony Taylor added 13 points, three rebounds, and two blocks to round out the double-figure scorers for the RedHawks.
The RedHawks came out firing, shooting 48.4% in the first half, including 50% from beyond the arc, to build a 41-36 halftime lead. Their offensive efficiency only improved in the second half, where they shot 55.6% from the field to stay ahead of the Titans. Indiana Northwest's defense also played a critical role, forcing 10 turnovers and converting them into 13 points.
IU South Bend (4-5, 1-1 CCAC) kept the game competitive with strong contributions from guard Jylen Petty, who scored 15 points and knocked down three 3-pointers. Quentez Columbus added 11 points and five assists, while Shawn Brown provided energy off the bench with 10 points and five rebounds. The Titans stayed close by converting 87.5% of their free throws and sinking eight 3-pointers but were unable to match Indiana Northwest's offensive consistency.
The game featured three lead changes in the first half, but a late 7-0 run by the RedHawks gave them a cushion they would not relinquish. Indiana Northwest also edged the Titans on the boards, 36-35, and tallied nine second-chance points to maintain control throughout the game.
Key moments included Williams' clutch layup with just over a minute to play, extending the RedHawks' lead to 13 points and putting the game out of reach. Jenkins' timely 3-pointers and Smith's dominance on the glass were also instrumental in the victory.
With the win, the RedHawks remain undefeated in CCAC play and are showing the form that helped them secure last season's conference title. Coach Heridia, now with 150 career victories, continues to solidify his legacy at the helm of the program.
Indiana Northwest will look to carry its momentum into Saturday's game when it hosts St. Francis at the Savannah Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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Recap by PJ Katona
