ELGIN, Ill. - Opening the second half with a 19-8 run for a seven-point lead, Judson University (5-11/2-1) won their first home game of the year over Purdue-Calumet, 83-74. Judson was down by as many as 12 points in the first half. Josh Edwards, who finished with 27 points, had 11 of the 19 points in the run with two three-pointers.
Edwards led all scorers with 27 points as he hit five three-pointers. Josh Weber had another double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds and Landon Skinner added 13 points. Jordan Champion had 17 points for Purdue-Calumet.
After Skinner hit the opening bucket for a 2-0 advantage, Purdue-Calumet had a 16-2 run for a 12-point lead, 16-4, in just over four and half minutes. Judson answered with a 10-0 run to come within two, 16-14, but Purdue-Calumet had pushed their lead back to nine, 25-16, by the 8:47 mark. Judson could get no closer than three-points, 38-35, on a Weber shot with 1:50 left in the half. Purdue-Calumet took a six-point lead into the locker room, 43-37. Judson's shooting was part of the lack of scoring as they only shot 10% from three-point range.
Judson started the second half on a tear as Edwards led a 19-8 run to regain the lead, 58-51, with 14:28 left in the game. Edwards hit four shots in the run and gave Judson the seven-point lead with a three-pointer. Purdue-Calumet was within three, twice, the last being 60-57 with 11:13 on the clock. Judson ended Purdue-Calumets thoughts of a comeback with a 13-4 run over the next four minutes for a 12-point advantage, 73-61. Skinner started the run with the first four points and Edwards finished the run with another three-pointer. Purdue-Calumet only came within eight from that point on as Judson finished off the Peregrines, 83-74. Judson improved their three-point shooting by 40% in the second half making four-three pointers.
Judson finished the game shooting 47% from the floor, 27% from three-point range, and 75% from the stripe. Purdue-Calumet made 46% of their shots, 28% from three-point land, and 60% from the line. Judson out rebounded Purdue-Calumet, 42-33 and forced 15 turnovers.
Judson will travel to Indiana to face Calumet College on Saturday, January 16th, at 3:00 p.m.
