NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The IU Northwest men's basketball team delivered a competitive road effort Saturday afternoon at Holy Cross College, battling possession by possession in a conference showdown that featured timely runs and physical play on both ends.
IU Northwest struck first, as Antonio Phillips knocked down a three-pointer from the wing to put the RedHawks on the board and set the early tone. The defensive intensity followed immediately. Amarion Johnson altered shots at the rim, Ladaion Barnes rotated over for a weak-side rejection, and Phillips added a block of his own as IU Northwest protected the paint aggressively. By halftime, the RedHawks had recorded seven blocks in the opening 20 minutes — a combined effort from Johnson, Barnes and Phillips that disrupted Holy Cross' interior rhythm.
Offensively, IU Northwest attacked inside while mixing in perimeter looks to stay within striking distance. Midway through the half, the RedHawks converted off a defensive stop in transition and added a second-chance basket following an offensive rebound to keep the margin tight. Holy Cross responded with timely perimeter shooting late in the half to take a narrow edge into the break.
Coming out of halftime, IU Northwest answered with renewed energy. After an early defensive stand, the RedHawks pushed the ball ahead before Barnes elevated for a powerful dunk in traffic, igniting the bench and cutting into the deficit. The momentum continued as IU Northwest followed with another stop and a paint finish on the ensuing possession.
Holy Cross countered with a scoring run sparked by ball movement and outside shooting, but the RedHawks remained resilient. A drive-and-kick sequence led to a high-percentage look inside, and consistent interior defense kept IU Northwest within reach in the closing minutes. Despite the late push, Holy Cross capitalized at the free-throw line to secure the final result.
IU Northwest featured balanced scoring across the lineup, with multiple players reaching double figures according to the official box score. The RedHawks found success in the paint, generated second-chance opportunities and anchored their defensive effort with strong rim protection throughout the contest.
Barnes' second-half dunk highlighted his two-way presence, and he also recorded his 28th block of the season, moving into the program's top 10 for single-season blocks.
IU Northwest totaled seven blocks in the first half alone, showcasing elite rim protection from Amarion Johnson, Ladaion Barnes and Antonio Phillips. The RedHawks produced balanced scoring with multiple double-figure contributors, generated second-chance points through offensive rebounding and converted defensive stops into transition opportunities to remain competitive deep into the second half.
IU Northwest returns home Monday night to host Calumet College in a rescheduled contest originally set for Jan. 31. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the Savannah Center.
