GARY, Ind. — IU Northwest men's basketball opened the second half strong but couldn't hold off a late surge from Saint Xavier University, falling 85–80 Wednesday night inside the Savannah Center. The contest also served as Coaches vs. Cancer Night, with the RedHawks hosting Suits and Sneakers to raise awareness for the fight against cancer.
The RedHawks struck first, as Caleb Jenkins hit a mid-range jumper just 19 seconds into the game. IU Northwest built early momentum, with Ladaion Barnes attacking the paint and helping the RedHawks secure a brief lead midway through the first half. Trey Steinhilber added a three-pointer to extend the advantage, and IU Northwest forced Saint Xavier into contested shots through consistent tempo and ball pressure.
Saint Xavier cut into the deficit late in the half, but IU Northwest carried a 40–37 lead into halftime. Barnes led the way in the first half, connecting on four of his five attempts and finishing through contact in the paint.
The second half became a showcase of resilience from both teams. Saint Xavier came out with defensive adjustments and found their rhythm from long range. IU Northwest responded with aggressive drives from Matthew Hoarde, who scored in transition and helped keep the RedHawks within striking distance. Antonio Phillips provided physical presence in the paint, and Hoarde later converted inside to tie the game.
A late scoring run from Saint Xavier gave the Cougars the lead, but IU Northwest continued to fight. Barnes attacked the basket and found Hoarde cutting to the hoop for a layup that cut the deficit to two with under a minute remaining. Despite the late push, Saint Xavier converted key free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
Barnes led IU Northwest with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including four three-pointers. Hoarde added 13 points, and Steinhilber scored 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting. Amarion Johnson contributed 11 points and seven rebounds, while Jenkins finished with 10 points. Phillips scored eight points with five rebounds, and Romello Ali added eight points as the RedHawks received contributions throughout the lineup.
IU Northwest continues its CCAC road swing on Saturday, Jan. 31, before returning home to host Calumet College for the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees celebration. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Savannah Center.
