RedHawks Sprint Past Men's Basketball

(Rochester, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar men's basketball team was on the campus of Rochester Christian University for game one of the Faith Works Classic Friday evening, as they took on the Indiana University-Northwest RedHawks.

IU-Northwest scored the game's first four points, but Austin Santure would cut into the early lead with a layup.  The RedHawks used an up tempo attack, and would then go on a run, expanding the lead to 13-4 over the course of three minutes.  Santure would make another layup, but IU-Northwest would answer.  Still trailing 23-10, Amare Slaughter would knock down a three to cut the deficit to ten points, where the lead would hover until the seven minute mark of the first half, before the RedHawks would go on another run to take control of the game.  Cleary trailed 53-31 at the break.

Bennie Crenshaw Jr. was a bright spot for the Cougars in the second half, scoring 11 of team high 15 points in the final twenty minutes, but the RedHawks would continue to convert fast break baskets, and wouldn't let the Cougars make a run to get back into the game.

Bennie Crenshaw Jr. led Cleary with 15 points and 5 rebounds.  Amare Slaughter added 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals off the bench.  Chris Williams had 8 points and 6 rebounds, while Austin Santure chipped in 8 points and 3 rebounds.

IU-Northwest outrebounded Cleary 49-36, and had 22 fast break points to Cleary's 17.  The RedHawks also held the points the paint advantage with 48 to CU's 38.

Cleary is now 1-2 on the season, and will return to the Faith Works Classic on Saturday, November 9, when they take on the Saint Francis Cougars at 3:30 PM at Garth Pleasant Arena.