The Purdue Northwest Men's Basketball team closed out its GLIAC/GLVC Crossover weekend on Saturday afternoon, falling in a tight-battle to Rockhurst in a high-scoring matchup, 85-78.

The Basics

• Records: Purdue Northwest (0-2, 0-0 GLIAC), Rockhurst (2-0, 0-0 GLVC)
• Location: Mabee Center – Liberty, Mo.
• Attendance: 209

Inside The Numbers

• Senior Kyle Ross (Saint John, Ind./Lake Central) led Purdue Northwest with 17 points, five rebounds, and one steal while going a perfect 7-of-7 at the free-throw line.
• Senior Davontae Hall (Chicago, Ill./Hyde Park Academy) added 11 points and five assists, knocking down a three and playing a team-high 26 minutes.
• Junior Kwat Abdelkarim (Lincoln, Neb./North Star) scored 10 points and tallied five rebounds with three assists.
• Sophomore Aaiden Ashton (Mount Pleasant, Iowa/Mount Pleasant) contributed nine points and six rebounds while hitting both of his attempts from beyond the arc.
• Freshman Garrett Clark (Portage, Ind./Portage) provided another strong performance off the bench with 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
• PNW shot an efficient 24-of-49 (49%) from the field and an outstanding 9-of-16 (56.3%) from three, while going 21-of-26 (80.8%) at the line.
• The Pride earned 26 points from the bench and finished with 13 fast-break points.
• Rockhurst countered by shooting 52.8% from the field and 7-of-20 (35%) from deep.
• Jaylen Wesley and Drenin Dinkins each scored 21 points for the Hawks, with Wesley adding five steals to spark Rockhurst's defensive pressure.
• The Hawks capitalized on PNW turnovers, scoring 27 points off giveaways.

The Breakdown

• Purdue Northwest came out firing, shooting 56% in the first half while knocking down five threes to take a 45-44 lead at the break.
• The Pride built momentum early behind Ross' efficiency inside and strong perimeter shooting from Ashton and Clark.
• Rockhurst stayed close with balanced scoring and frequent trips to the free-throw line, converting 13 first-half attempts.
• The second half featured multiple lead changes, but the Hawks gained control with a burst of three-pointers and dribble penetration that opened lanes for Wesley and Dinkins.
• PNW continued to shoot well, especially at the line, but turnovers slowed the offensive rhythm and allowed Rockhurst to generate transition opportunities.
• A late push by the Pride brought the game within two possessions, but the Hawks delivered timely baskets and defensive stops to hold on for the win.

Up Next

• Purdue Northwest returns home for its home opener when they hosts Upper Iowa on Saturday, November 22. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM CT at John Friend Court in Hammond, Indiana.