The Purdue Northwest Men's Basketball team picked up its first win of the season on Tuesday night, defeating Truman State 73-64. The win also marked Jordan Ashton's first win as PNW Head Coach and on the NCAA D2 level.

The Basics

• Records: Purdue Northwest (1-3, 0-0 GLIAC), Truman State (2-2, 0-0 GLVC)
• Location: PNW Fitness & Recreation Center – Hammond, Indiana
• Attendance: 250

Inside The Numbers

• PNW shot 28-of-65 (43.1%) from the field, 7-of-26 (26.9%) from three, and 10-of-15 (66.7%) at the line.
• Truman State countered with 21-of-47 (44.7%) shooting, 6-of-16 (37.5%) from deep, and 16-of-21 (76.2%) at the stripe.
• The Pride won the rebounding battle 38-31 and outscored the Bulldogs 38-26 in the paint.
• PNW added 12 second-chance points, 13 points off turnovers, seven fast-break points, and 17 points from the bench.
• Senior Kyle Ross (Saint John, Ind./Lake Central) delivered a dominant double-double with 17 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and five steals while shooting 8-of-15 from the floor.
• Senior Kevin Taylor (Acworth, Ga./Allatoona) matched Ross with 17 points of his own, knocking down three threes and grabbing six rebounds.
• Junior Kwat Abdelkarim (Lincoln, Neb./North Star) scored 12 points on 3-of-7 shooting while going 4-of-4 at the line.
• Senior Davontae Hall (Chicago, Ill./Hyde Park Academy) added six points and three assists, and Aaiden Ashton (Mount Pleasant, Iowa/Mount Pleasant) contributed four points, four rebounds, and four made free throws.
• Junior Zach Hayslett (Memphis, Tenn./Memphis East) led the bench unit with nine points, while freshman Garrett Clark (Portage, Ind./Portage) added six points of his own.
• Truman State was led by Jahki Parrinello with 17 points and Julian Brown with 14.

The Breakdown

• The first half featured seven lead changes as both teams traded scoring runs. Ross anchored PNW early with inside scoring and control on the glass, allowing the Pride to stay within one possession despite shooting 32 percent before halftime.
• PNW trailed just 30-29 at the break after a late defensive stand and a timely midrange jumper from Ross closed the gap.
• The Pride surged in the second half with 55 percent shooting, using improved ball movement and steady paint production to take control. Taylor and Abdelkarim knocked down key perimeter shots while Hall facilitated transition opportunities.
• Ross continued to dominate the interior, collecting offensive rebounds and generating second-chance points that shifted momentum firmly in PNW's favor.
• The Pride defense forced 15 Truman State turnovers, turning several into fast-break scores during a decisive 14-4 run midway through the half.
• Hayslett and Clark provided a boost off the bench, combining for 15 points and timely energy on the defensive end.
• PNW maintained a two-possession lead throughout the final minutes, closing out the game with composed half-court execution and defensive discipline.

Up Next

• Purdue Northwest continues their homestand when they host Indiana University Columbus on Friday, November 28 in non-conference action. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM CT at John Friend Court in Hammond, Indiana.