Despite game-highs of 29 points and seven three-pointers by freshman Richard Robertson (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop), the Purdue Northwest men’s basketball team completed play in the Maryville Classic with a 75-63 loss to Missouri-St Louis Tuesday afternoon at Moloney Arena in St. Louis, Mo. The Pride struggled offensively connecting on just 31 percent (21-for-68) of their shots from the field.
Junior Chris Nunn (Anderson, Ind./Anderson) also scored in double figures for PNW Tuesday posting 11 points and recording team-highs of eight rebounds and four steals. Senior Torrance Johnson (Chicago Heights, Ill./Chicago Hope Academy) had nine points and six rebounds for the Pride; while senior Tyree Coe (Fishers, Ind./Fishers) chipped in eight points, five rebounds and four assists.
Richardson got Purdue Northwest off to a strong start draining a three-pointer on the game’s opening possession. Near the midpoint of the first half, Coe hit a trey to tie the game at 14-14. However, the Tritons responded with a 12-2 run to build a 26-16 lead with 3:31 to play in the half.
Trailing 36-23 at the break, PNW could not keep pace early in the second half and Missouri-St. Louis extended its lead up to 18 points, 50-32, with just under 14 minutes remaining in regulation. Richardson sparked an 11-1 run with a three-pointer to draw the Pride to within eight, 51-43, with 10:41 to play. Unfortunately for PNW, the Tritons pushed their lead back up to 16 points and the Pride never got closer than nine points (64-55) over the final seven minutes.
Purdue Northwest (0-12 overall/0-5 GLIAC) takes some time off for the holiday season and returns to action on Friday, December 29, with a non-conference road game against Spring Arbor University (Mich.). The game is scheduled for a noon CT tip-off at the SAU Fieldhouse in Spring Arbor, Mich.
