PNW Continues GLIAC Play with 88-84 Win at Northwood
MIDLAND, Mich. – Six players scored in double figures as the Purdue Northwest men’s basketball team earned an 88-84 victory Saturday in a road conference matchup against the NorthwoodÂ
Timberwolves. Tim Gilmore led the way for PNW with 19 points.
The Timberwolves jumped out to a significant early lead, getting out to as much as a 19-4 advantage after an Alec Marty layup with just over 14 minutes to go in the half. Rich Robertsonknocked down a three-pointer to punctuate a Pride rally, making it 21-17 with 11:01 remaining.
Despite shooting 57.1% from 3-point range for the half, the Pride went into the half down by nine points. Brennan Schofield scored 11 and connected on all three of his attempts from downtown, while Greg Boyle added 10 off the bench.
A David Jelenik jump shot gave the Timberwolves a 12-point lead with a little over 10 minutes to play, but the Pride never backed down. Purdue Northwest went on a run that saw them cut the lead to three with 6:25 to play on a Boyle layup.
After Jelenik brought it back to a seven-point game with a layup at the 4:52 mark, the Black and Gold closed the game on a 11-4 run. Chandler Spring gave the Pride their first lead of the afternoon on a corner three with 3:25 left. A baseline drive and dunk from Durante Leeprovided the punctuation as the Pride hung on for a four-point victory, its first conference win of the season.
The Pride are now 2-0 against the Timberwolves, after beating them 55-52 at home last season. Rich Robertson has scored in double figures for both of those contests, scoring 11 last season before adding 12 in the winning effort Saturday.
All in all, the Pride shot a season-high 54.5% from behind the arc (12-22), as Gilmore, Schofield, and Boyle combined for nine made. PNW also was 91% from the free throw line, as they made 10 of their 11 attempts. A season-low seven turnovers compared to 15 assists highlighted a very efficient performance from the PNW backcourt.
Greg Boyle added 15 points to the winning cause, along with 12 points each from Chase Rankin and Rich Robertson. The Pride also got 11 respectively from Durante Lee and Brennan Schofield. Â
Head coach​ Boomer Roberts also earned his first GLIAC victory with the Black and GoldÂ
Head coach Boomer Roberts on the victory:Â
“As coaches, we are really proud of our guys. They grew up today, against a well coached team that was undefeated at home. We knew how big and physical Northwood is, and we had to be men to win the game, especially down the stretch. Rich and Chase were dogging the ball and getting to the rim,  Tripps and Timmy Gimms made so many plays offensively, and then Chandler stepped up like a senior should when we needed him. Their box scores may not show it, but AB and Tae competed as well as I’ve seen them on the defensive end and the glass, boxing out, guarding, and diving on the floor for loose balls. Scho hit some huge shots to keep us in the game in the first half as well. Our guys have been taking strides every week, so for them to taste a road victory against a good team is a great moment. We’ll enjoy this, and then we’ll get back to work on Monday.”
Up next, PNW will return to Hammond to take on the Wayne State Warriors on John Friend Court. Tip off will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10.