Red Wolves - IU East

HAMMOND - Same opponent. Same script. Same result.

The Indiana University East men's basketball team used a late surge to win 85-81 at Purdue University Calumet on Dec. 12.

The Red Wolves trailed 71-63 with five minutes remaining before mounting their comeback.

IU East made a big surge at a similar point in the second half when it beat Purdue Calumet in Richmond on Nov. 13.

"Our guys showed a lot of heart to overcame a lot of adversity and pull out this win," said IU East coach Mark Hester.

"This win gives us momentum we had to have entering a bit of a break in our schedule."

The Red Wolves improved to 7-4 entering a 15-day holiday break between games. The Peregrines, who had won three in a row, fell to 3-7.

IU East has won seven of eight regular season games since an 0-3 start.

Junior guard Tyler Rigby (Bryant, Ind./Jay County High School) scored 24 points to lead IU East.

Senior guard Bijon Jones (Jackson, Tenn./Southeast Missouri State University) scored 10 of his 19 points in the last five minutes to spearhead the Red Wolves' rally.

Jones' last basket, a driving layup with 2:02 remaining, gave the Red Wolves an 80-78 lead. IU East would lead the rest of the way.

"I remember Steve (Shepherd, a fellow guard) saying we've got to get going and have a sense of urgency," Jones said. "I tried to be more aggressive.

"My teammates deserve the credit because they did a good job finding me. Knocking down the shots is the easy part. And the defense started making stops."

The Red Wolves made five of six free throws in the final 69 seconds to seal the win.

Senior forward Justin Hawkins (Evansville, Ind./Kentucky Wesleyan College) had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Neal Hudson led Purdue Calumet with 34 points. The Red Wolves are glad they won't have to see Hudson again this season. Hudson had 28 points when the teams met in November.

IU East returns to action Dec. 27 at the Thomas More College Tournament.

"This was important because the last thing that will resonate for 15 days is that we got a win," Jones said.