The Purdue Northwest Men's Basketball team opened GLIAC play with an impressive 77-58 victory over Wayne State on Monday night securing their third straight home win.

The Basics

• Records: Purdue Northwest (3-3, 1-0 GLIAC), Wayne State (2-3, 0-1 GLIAC)
• Location: PNW Fitness & Recreation Center – Hammond, Indiana
• Attendance: 300

Inside The Numbers

• PNW shot 28-of-59 (47.5%) from the field, 10-of-27 (37.0%) from three, and 11-of-14 (78.6%) at the line.
• Wayne State finished 19-of-52 (36.5%) overall, 5-of-16 (31.3%) from deep, and 15-of-22 (68.2%) at the stripe.
• The Pride won the rebounding battle 39-32, including a 15-13 edge on the offensive end.
• PNW totaled 34 points in the paint, 12 second-chance points, nine fast-break points, 13 points off turnovers, and 19 bench points.
• Senior Kevin Taylor (Acworth, Ga./Allatoona) delivered a standout performance with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting and a double-double thanks to ten rebounds.
• Senior Kyle Ross (Saint John, Ind./Lake Central) added 14 points, eight rebounds, and five assists while shooting 6-of-9.
• Junior Kwat Abdelkarim (Lincoln, Neb./North Star) tallied 12 points with two made threes and a perfect 4-of-4 from the line.
• Senior Davontae Hall (Chicago, Ill./Hyde Park Academy) continued his efficient play with 11 points, three rebounds, and a steal.
• Senior Andres Arellano Jr. (Aurora, Colo./Gateway) provided a crucial spark off the bench with six points on two made threes.
• Wayne State was led by Jordan Briggs, who scored a game-high 27 points.

The Breakdown

• PNW built an early advantage behind a balanced first half, shooting 35 percent while generating consistent inside scoring from Taylor and Ross. Their defensive pressure held Wayne State to 23 first-half points.
• The Pride's perimeter defense limited Wayne State to 2-of-11 from three in the opening 20 minutes, while Abdelkarim and Hall each connected from deep to help PNW enter halftime up 29-23.
• PNW broke the game open in the second half with a 48-point surge, fueled by 61 percent shooting and seven made threes after the break.
• Taylor controlled the offensive glass and repeatedly created second-chance opportunities that stretched the lead into double digits.
• Ross anchored the interior on both ends, facilitating offense from the high post and finishing efficiently around the basket.
• Hall set the tempo by pushing transition opportunities, leading to nine fast-break points.
• The bench contributed timely scoring as Clark, Arellano, Askew, and Robinson combined for 19 points, maintaining PNW's momentum during extended runs.
• A decisive mid-half stretch saw PNW convert defensive stops into transition threes and paint touches, pushing the margin beyond reach.
• Wayne State attempted a late push behind Briggs' scoring bursts, but the Pride's ball movement, rebounding control, and timely perimeter shooting secured the 19-point win.

• Purdue Northwest continues GLIAC play when they host Ferris State on Thursday, December 4. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM CT at John Friend Court located in the Fitness and Recreation Center in Hammond, Indiana.