KOKOMO, Ind. — IU Northwest opened Wednesday night with one of its strongest starts of the season, but a powerful second-half surge from IU Kokomo proved too much as the RedHawks fell 84–70 on the road at the Student Activities Event Center.

The RedHawks (5–4, 3–2 CCAC) came out firing, hitting seven first-half threes and building an early 11-point lead behind the perimeter play of Ladaion Barnes and Caleb Jenkins. IUN led 36–35 at halftime after holding Kokomo to 33.3 percent shooting through the opening 20 minutes.

But the game flipped quickly in the second half. IU Kokomo (7-3) erupted for 49 points after the break behind the trio of Ty Wills (23 points), Evan Kretz (20 points) and Patric Matson (16 points). The Cougars attacked relentlessly in the paint and second-chance opportunities to outscore the RedHawks 26–18 inside.

IU Northwest hung close until the 10-minute mark, when a 10–2 Kokomo run powered by a pair of baskets from Joseph Annan Jr. and a corner three from Matson stretched the deficit into double digits. Despite late threes from Barnes and Trey Steinhilber, the RedHawks were unable to close the gap.

Barnes led IU Northwest with 17 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Jenkins finished with 14 points including three threes. Antonio Phillips delivered a major boost off the bench, scoring 12 points and grabbing a team-high 12 rebounds. Hoarde and Johnson each added nine.

The RedHawks' defense produced seven blocks—four coming from Johnson—but Kokomo's efficiency at the free-throw line (21-for-26) and a 49–42 rebounding advantage proved decisive.

IU Northwest now turns its attention to another challenging road test, traveling to take on No. 11 Bethel University on Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. in Mishawaka, Ind.