SOUTH BEND – A hot start nearly got away from the Indiana University South Bend men’s basketball team on Wednesday night, but the Titans held off Purdue University Calumet in the final minutes for a 67-64 victory to move to 8-2 overall on the season and 3-1 in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference action.

The Titans have been known for slow starts this season but tonight was different. IU South Bend jumped on the Peregrines from the opening tip forcing them to call a timeout just 45 second into the contest.

Riley Stichter put-back a Taylor Brooks offensive board to put the Titans in front 14-3 with just under 14 minutes to play in the half. Stichter, a Wawasee High School product, turned in a strong effort for the Titans with 11 points to go with a team-high seven rebounds.

Midway through the first half, Jeremy Jones drained a triple to make it 21-8. Over the next six minute stretch, PUC sliced its deficit to just five points via a 14-6 run.

Joe Bannister converted a pair of free throws to send IU South Bend into halftime with an eight point advantage over PUC.

Purdue Cal saw its first lead of the game when Chandler Spring drained a three pointer after a PUC offensive rebound with 13 minutes left to play.

From this point on the game became a shootout. Both teams continued to match baskets until there was less than two minutes to play.

IU South Bend trailed by one with 1:39 to play when Javonte Young scored five consecutive points to put the Titans ahead by four. Young finished with a team-high 22 points including 7-of-9 from the free throw line.

TJ Benner finished the night hitting six free throws, four of which came in the final 15 seconds of the game to seal the victory for the Titans.

The Titans will travel to Roosevelt University on Saturday to battle the Lakers. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.

IUSB Ladies Lose Close One

The Indiana University South Bend women’s basketball team nearly knocked off No. 14 Purdue University Calumet on Wednesday night but a late burst from the Peregrines propelled them to a 61-54 victory over the Titans.

The teams traded baskets throughout the first quarter resulting in five ties, including a tie at 14 at the end of the frame.

With the score even at 17 in the second quarter, PUC used a 12-2 run to take its largest lead of the contest. Lucy Presnal ended the Peregrines run and also hit a jumper with 24 seconds to play in the half to send the Titans into the locker room facing a five point deficit.

PUC was in control for the majority of the third quarter but Paige Avery put the Titans in front with three of her team-high 16 points with 42 seconds to play in the quarter. However, the Peregrines’ Patrice McBee converted a layup to regain the lead, 45-44 after three complete quarters.

The final quarter was all Peregrines as they built their lead at large at 11 points and the Titans would not be able to recover.

Courtney Smith finished the game with 15 points while Avery also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

KiLee Knafel, a former standout at Wawasee High School, had two assists and a rebound for IUSB.

The Peregrines got to the charity stripe 34 times while the Titans shot just 12 free throws in the loss.

IU South Bend moves to 7-5 overall on the year and 2-2 in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference action.

The Titans will travel to Roosevelt University for a CCAC tilt with the Lakers. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.