HAMMOND & WESTVILLE, Ind. -- The Purdue Northwest Men's Basketball team completed their 2019-2020 season on February 27th with a 99-65 home win against GLIAC rival Wisconsin-Parkside, where every player contributed to the season high of 99 points. The Pride increased their record, winning two of their last three home games, including an 86-71 win against Lake Superior State on Senior Day.
The Black and Gold reached double digits in the win category, securing 10 wins overall and 5 conference victories. Major wins from the season include a 76-63 win over Northwood (January 4) -- which was the first time the men's and women's basketball programs celebrated a win on the same day since becoming NCAA Division II -- and an exciting overtime win against Northern Michigan (February 8) where the Pride shot 47% from behind the arc. The men connected on a season-high of 16 threes, contributing to another season-high of 30 assists against Parkside.
"We took another step forward this season with more wins and more GLIAC victories than we've had since we joined Division II," said Head Coach Boomer Roberts. "We also realize that we have to keep growing and improve to reach our goals as a program. We had eight seniors who were great representatives of our PNW Basketball family, and we are appreciative of their daily example. Our future is bright, as we return a strong core of guys who played significant minutes for us this season. I'm excited about this off season as I've ever been and our guys are hungry to work this offseason."
Jyrus Freels led Purdue Northwest in scoring, field goal percentage, rebounds, and minutes played. Freels started in 27 games, averaging 28.8 minutes a game along with 14.8 ppg and 6.3 rpg. Other statistical leaders include seniors Durante Lee, Xavier Hallinan and Chandler Spring, junior Xavier Allison, and sophomore Anthony Barnard. Also contributing to the team's success was Timothy Gilmore, Gregory Boyle, Jordan Doss, and Gabe Toombs.
The Pride will be graduating eight seniors that combined for a total of 2,455 minutes, 840 points, and 352 rebounds. Boomer Roberts and Noel Larkins look to grow their family for the 2020-2021 and continue to take the program upward.
Purdue Northwest Athletics would like to thank everyone involved, including families, fans, corporate champions, donors, and so many more for their support and passion all season long. We look forward to seeing you all again soon. Go Pride!
