(Trace Williams Monster Dunk)

GARY, Ind. – Trace Williams scored a game-high 23 points to go along with six rebounds, five assists and four steals in the Indiana University Northwest men's basketball teams 78-65 win over St. Francis in the opening round of the CCAC Tournament Wednesday night.
 
After the RedHawks were down by two (4-2) at the 18:27 mark in the first half, an Anthony Taylor three moments later put IUN on top for good. Near the midway point another Taylor bucket put the RedHawks up by a dozen, but USF had a run in them and got within three (24-21).
 
The RedHawks, however, quickly built their advantage back over 10 points when Brian Hernandez drained a three. The Saints though would get the IUN lead down to five before intermission, but a second half IUN run put the game out of reach.
 
In the last half of the second period Williams ignited the game-changing run with a three, which started the important 9-0 swing and put the RedHawks on top by double digits for the rest of the contest.
 
The cushion would eventually balloon to 18 when Dannie Smith scored two of his 14 points. After the Saints scored a few buckets, IUN would get its advantage back to 18 on a Jaylen Jennings dunk.
 
The RedHawks would finish the night with Taylor's layup as he closed the game with 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
 
Next up for IUN is a Friday night CCAC semifinal showdown with third seed Olivet Nazarene at 7 p.m. inside the Savannah Center.