Purdue Northwest Men’s Basketball Drops Season Opener to Rockhurst, 88-78

WESTVILLE, Ind. – Despite 15 points by junior guard Chris Nunn (Anderson, Ind./Liberty Christian), the Purdue University Northwest men’s basketball team opened up its 2017-18 campaign with an 88-78 loss to Rockhurst University (Mo.) Friday night at the H.D Kesling Gymnasium at the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex in Westville, Ind.  Nunn led the five Pride players with his 15 points to go along with his three assists and a pair of rebounds.

Senior guard Tyree Coe (Fishers, Ind./Fishers) finished second on the team with 14 points, while Chandler Spring (Covington, Ind./Covington) notched 13 points and six rebounds.

Senior forward Torrance Johnson (Chicago Heights, Ill./Chicago Hope Academy) recorded a team-best nine rebounds to go with his 12 points and freshman guard Richard Robertson (Fort Wayne, Ind./Fort Wayne Northrop) chipped in 11 points to round out the scorers for the Pride.

The Hawks took a 12-7 advantage early in the half, but the Pride answered back with a 10-0 run capped by a three-pointer from junior forward Jai Wright (Richmond, Ind./Richmond) to put the Pride ahead, 17-12.

After a back-and-forth rest of the half, Spring knocked down a trifecta toward the end of the half to take a 35-34 lead heading into the locker room.  Rockhurst had a decent lead for the majority of the second half, but the Pride got within five, 81-76, later on in the second half.

However, the Hawks shut down any comeback efforts from the Pride, finishing strong to come away with the 88-78 win.

Purdue Northwest (0-1 overall) returns to action tomorrow afternoon, when they face off with William Jewell at 3 p.m. (CT) in Westville in the final game of the 2017 Tip-off Classic.