Strong Second Half Powers Men’s Basketball to Win Over Grace Bible

PUC-PeregrinsThe Purdue University Calumet men’s basketball team defeated the Grace Bible Tigers 84-70 Friday evening in a nonleague contest at the Fitness and Recreation Center.

Senior Kaspars Brencans (Riga, Latvia/Florida Air Academy) led four Peregrine scorers in double figures, recording a team-high 20 points while chipping in eight rebounds and two steals. Duron Ivery (South Bend, Ind./Washington) notched his season-best 16 points, knocking down a trio of trifectas and garnering five rebounds.

Classmate Noah Allen (Flora, Ind./Carroll) scored 13 points and had a game high six steals, while junior guard Dayvohn Braxton (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) chipped in with 10 points on 5 of 9 shooting.

The Peregrines (7-7) jumped out on an early lead, starting the game on a 13-4 run thanks to back-to-back baskets by Braxton. Grace Bible (9-9) would come back with a run of its own, led by sophomore Jared Bradford. The 5-foot-10 guard knocked down a big 3 followed by a layup to tie the game at 21 apiece with 9:57 remaining in the half.

The Tigers took the lead late in the first half, until a pair of 3-point field goals by Ivery and a Brencans' two-handed slam evened the score at 39-39 heading into the break.

Purdue Calumet commanded the second half, scoring the first basket of the period and never losing the lead for the rest of the contest. The Peregrines' defense led the way for the remainder of the game, recording 10 steals in the final 20 minutes of play -- recording 18 points off turnovers in that span.

Bradford shot a perfect 5 of 5 from downtown for the Tigers, notching a game high 27 points and racked up 5 helpers, three steals and two rebounds to lead the visitor in a losing effort. Bernard Smith also shot well from the field, chipping in 21 points on 7 of 9 shooting for Grace Bible.

Sophomore Danny Paschen (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central) added nine boards and three assists off the bench, senior Aaron Davis (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) added nine points, four assists and five rebounds and Ryan Rader (Lombard, Ill./Willowbrook) had nine points to aid the Peregrines in the victory.

The Peregrines will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, as they take on rival Indiana University Northwest in a 3 p.m. tipoff at the FNRC.

Saturday, which is the department's Military Appreciation Day, will also feature a women's game, as the No. 11 Peregrines take on Clarke University Saturday at 1 p.m.

Sponsored by the Purdue Calumet Army ROTC and the Indiana National Guard, Saturday's contests featuring the Peregrines will offer fans free t-shirts, beanies, lanyards, and other giveaways, plus appearances by the ROTC Color Guard. In addition, all current and retired military personnel and their families will be admitted free into the tournament.

Live stats and video and will be provided for all game this weekend at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/puc/

Admission to the tournament is $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 4-18. Purdue Calumet students with valid ID are free.