Purdue Calumet Handles IUN in Holiday Hoop Jam Finale, 76-55

PUC-LogoThe Purdue University Calumet men’s basketball team defeated rival Indiana University Northwest 76-55 Saturday afternoon at the Fitness and Recreation Center in the final game of the Holiday Hoop Jam.

Junior Ryan Rader (Lombard, Ill./Willowbrook) led all scorers with 19 points while recording a career-high 16 rebounds, putting the 6-foot-8 big man ninth all-time on the single-game rebounding list for the Peregrines (8-7), who picked up their second-straight win after defeating Grace Bible in Friday's opener.

Noah Allen (Flora, Ind./Carroll) recorded 14 points on 5 of 10 shooting, while connecting on a pair of 3-point field goals and chipping in five steals and four assists and teammates Aaron Davis (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) and Duron Ivery (South Bend, Ind./Washington) added 11 points each in the balanced scoring effort.

The RedHawks (6-12) took an early lead, jumping out to a 14-9 advantage after consecutive baskets by JJ Pennington and Justin Dexter.

The Peregrines would eventually even the score at 18 apiece, after Ivery connected on a 3-point field goal. The junior would then give the Peregrines their first lead of the game on the next possession, driving into the lane for a jumper that gave the Black and Gold a 20-18 lead with 9:14 to go before the half.

Purdue Calumet wouldn’t let up for the remaining of the half, allowing just four field goals in the final 10 minutes, as the Peregrines held a 36-25 advantage heading into the locker room.

The Peregrines took control in the second half, jumping out to a 54-33 lead with just over 13 minutes left in the game thanks to two trifectas by Allen.

The Black and Gold’s largest lead of the game was with just over five minutes left, as the Peregrines went on a 13-3 run, increasing their advantage to 69-40.

Purdue Calumet finished the contest shooting 47.8 percent (33 of 69) from the field and a season best 41.7 percent (5 of 12) from beyond the arc. Sophomore guard Darric Obinger (Munster, Ind./Calumet Christian) notched 8 points and was a perfect 2 of 2 from downtown, adding three assists.

The Peregrines return to action Wednesday, Jan. 7 as they take on Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Purdue North Central on the road in LaPorte, Ind. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.