Gordon returns to Purdue Calumet as Peregrines men's head coach

HAMMOND, Ind. (July 19, 2007) – Grayling Gordon, a former Purdue University Calumet assistant coach who led Purdue North Central to its first winning men’s basketball season in 2006-07, has been appointed men’s head basketball coach at Purdue Calumet.

Gordon, 40, an East Chicago native and former high school standout at EC Washington, returns to Purdue Calumet after a five-year stint at Purdue North Central. During that time, the Panthers improved from 3-26 his first season in 2002-03 to last season’s 15-14 mark.

“I am excited to return to Purdue Calumet, and I look forward to the opportunities there,” he said. “I was there when Purdue Calumet achieved a great deal of success, and I don’t think we’re very far from doing that again.”

In announcing Gordon’s appointment, Purdue Calumet Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health, Recreation and Sports/Athletic Director Robert Bunnell said, “I am really impressed with his energy and his commitment to Purdue and this campus. He knows and understands Purdue and our regional university system. I think he’s a great fit for our program at this important time in our development.”

Gordon takes over a Purdue Calumet program whose 2006-07 season ended prematurely in late December after eight players were declared academically ineligible. Subsequently, former coach Mike James and his staff resigned, and eight early season victories were forfeited. Retired, veteran local high school coach

Russ E. Marcinek took over in early February as acting coach until Gordon’s appointment.   

“We appreciate Russ’ professionalism, knowledge and effort in establishing a foundation for resuming our men’s basketball program,” Purdue Calumet Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Melinda Dalgarn said. “He was the right person at the right time for responding to the difficult challenges facing our program; for that we express deep and sincere thanks to him. We now look forward to Grayling advancing Peregrines men’s basketball to a level at which we all can be proud.”    

Gordon began his coaching career in 1989-90 as an assistant at his collegiate alma mater, the University of Dubuque (IA), where he earned team most valuable player and all-conference honors. He also was inducted into the Dubuque Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. From 1993-97, he served as Dubuque’s head coach before returning to northwest Indiana. Prior to his Purdue North Central appointment, he was an assistant for three seasons at Purdue Calumet under former head coach Gary Hayes.

“Purdue North Central has been a special place for me,” said Gordon, who last season led the Panthers to a 6-4 record, good for a second place tie in Division II of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. “I’ll always cherish my time there, and I’m proud of our players and what they were able to achieve.”

Gordon holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and business from Dubuque and a master’s degree in athletics administration and physical education from Slippery Rock (PA) University.

Peregrines ink Texas all-state point guard for the 2007-08 campaign

HAMMOND, Ind. (June 29, 2007) – High on the recruiting wish list of Purdue University Calumet’s men’s basketball program for 2007-08 has been a point guard – and the Peregrines have landed one in Texas high school all-stater Josh Collins.

The 6-feet-1 Collins averaged 17 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals per game in leading San Antonio MacArthur High School to a 22-11 record last season and earning Class 5A all-state recognition by Texas Basketball magazine. He also gained all-district and all-region honors.

Selected as well this year to the National Society of High School Scholars, he plans to major in engineering at Purdue Calumet.  “He can shoot, pass, handle the ball, and he has a good concept of the game,” Purdue Calumet acting men’s basketball coach Russ Marcinek said. “Plus, he’s an excellent student.” 

Marcinek credited 1992 Purdue Calumet alumnus and former standout Ben Simmons with acquainting his alma mater with Collins. Simmons, a Texas business man, is founder and general manager of International Sports Training Institute in Houston.

Collins is the fourth recruit to commit to the Purdue Calumet men’s team for 2007-08. He joins in the Peregrines fold 6-5 transfer swing player Krste Krstevski (Lake Central HS/Florida International University), 6-1 transfer guard Antonio McNeal (Gavit HS/Joliet JC) and 6-3 wing player Joe Elabed (Morton HS).

Peregrines sign three local prep stars, Krstevski, McNeal, Elabed

HAMMOND, Ind. (May 15, 2007) – Purdue University Calumet acting men’s basketball coach Russ Marcinek announced that three former local high school standouts have committed to play for the Peregrines next season.

They are Lake Central graduate Krste Krstevski, Gavit alumnus Antonio McNeal and Morton’s Joe Elabed.

Krstevski enrolled at Purdue Calumet last spring after previously playing at Florida International University. The 6-feet-5 senior wing player “can shoot and rebound,” Marcinek said. Krstevski is a 2004 graduate of Lake Central, where he earned all-area and all-Duneland Conference honors while averaging 13 points and seven rebounds a game as a senior.

The 6-1 McNeal, who previously played at Joliet Junior College, brings “athleticism and the ability to run the floor well,” according to Marcinek.

Elabed, a 6-3 wing player, earned all-Lake Athletic Conference Blue Division honors last season in averaging some 17 points a game. “He’s a good shooter and rebounder with a nose for the ball,” Marcinek said.

Also planning to return to the Peregrines after sitting out last season is 6-4 junior guard/forward Jason Corns of Lowell.

“We have about 12 or 13 players on our roster,” Marcinek said. “They’re pretty good shooters, rebounders, and they’re athletic. Overall, it’s a solid group, both on the court and in the classroom.”

Academic woes end men's basketball season, coaching staff resigns

HAMMOND, Ind. (December 29, 2006) – Academic ineligibility of eight student basketball players following season-ending injuries to two others has prompted Purdue University Calumet to cancel the remainder of its 2006-07 men’s season and accept the resignation of head coach Mike James and his coaching staff, effective immediately.

Grade reports of recently completed fall semester course work necessitated the decision, according to Purdue Calumet Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health, Recreation and Sports Rob Jensen, adding that an assessment of the men’s basketball program will be conducted and improvements made prior to resuming play in 2007-08. The names of the ineligible student athletes may not be announced due to student privacy regulations.

The season-ending decision means Purdue Calumet, after compiling an 8-5 record, will not play the final 16 games of its regular season, including 12 dates and a postseason tournament within Division I of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC). Purdue Calumet previously announced that its men’s and women’s basketball teams are moving to Division II of the CCAC next season. 

“While I am very disappointed in a number of our student athletes for their failure to respond appropriately to their academic goals and responsibilities,” Jensen said, “I also deeply regret that our system of monitoring the academic progress of our student athletes failed to achieve our desired intention.” 

Purdue Calumet Chancellor Howard Cohen said the decision to halt the season, though unfortunate, is necessary.

“Basketball players are students first; we expect them to do well in the classroom,” he said. “The NAIA has as its motto: ‘Champions of Character.’ We expect nothing less from our athletes, and we will not compromise our standards in our sports programs.”

The premature end to the 2006-07 season and his coaching resignation is particularly disappointing for James, a Purdue Calumet alumnus and former all-conference player for longtime coach Larry Liddle, previous assistant under predecessor Gary Hayes and successor to Hayes when the latter resigned midway through the 2004-05 season.

“This was supposed to be a time of great excitement for our program,” said James, who compiled a 29-33 record at the Purdue Calumet helm. “We were 8-5 with a chance to improve on that record heading into conference play. I am extremely disappointed, and as head coach I accept responsibility.”

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Services Melinda Dalgarn, to whom the Office of Health, Recreation and Sports reports, said a series of steps will be taken to assure proper implementation of an improved, revitalized men’s basketball program.

“We must re-evaluate our student athlete academic monitoring process; clearly, we need a better system in place,” she said. “As unfortunate as this situation is, we can learn from it, make improvements and, ultimately, our basketball program will be stronger.”

Jensen added that no timetable has been set for hiring a new coach.

“Mike, the rest of the coaching staff and I always tried to be very clear with our athletes as to their responsibilities in the classroom and the great benefits of earning a Purdue degree at Purdue Calumet,” he said. “Without question, that will be a focus and priority of our new coach and staff.”

The premature termination to the men’s season comes 12 years after Purdue Calumet canceled its women’s basketball season just two games into the 1994-95 campaign due to an unprecedented string of injuries, ailments, academic ineligibility and unexpected departures. The program regrouped in 1995-96 under Hayes’ coaching to compile a 27-5 record, win the CCAC championship and qualify for a berth in the NAIA Division I national tournament.

Peregrines offense explodes in second half, cruise to 21-point win

REC CENTER (Dec. 19, 2006) – A 10-2 run in the first three minutes of the second half stretched the Peregrine lead to 34-16. And they were never threatened again. The Peregrines' (8-5) offense rolled in the second half hitting 54 percent from the field helping to seal a 60-39 victory against the Taylor University Trojans (8-8). The score was the largest margin of victory for the Peregrines this season.

The Peregrines enjoyed a 10-point cushion at the half, but Taylor scored on its first possession of the second half to draw within 24-16. That's when the Peregrine offense kicked into gear and scored on five of their next seven possessions.

Vince Johnson (Bishop Noll) hit a jumper in the lane to start the run. He hit a pair of free throws on PUC's next possession and finished with five points, five rebounds, two assists and steals and one shot block.

Steve Polak (Clark) swiped the ball on Taylor's next possession. Polak pushed the ball up the court and slipped a perfectly timed pass to teammate Charles Cruz (Gavit) who finished the fast break with a layup. Two possessions later, Cruz returned the favor and found Polak on the wing for a wide-open jumper.

On its next possession, PUC's Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) flipped the ball to guard Marcus Ford (Wirt) who hit a six-foot jumper in the lane. Taylor called a timeout, but the damage was done.

Wheeler led all scorers with 15 points, including three 3-pointers, and shot 50 percent from the field. He also led the team with nine rebounds in the contest. Lawrence Sandlin (Bishop Noll) enjoyed his season high scoring 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and he had two steals. Ford finished with nine points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals. Cruz scored eight points, grabbed eight rebounds, had two assists, one shot block and one steal. And Polak finished with seven points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and one shot block.

"It was a total team effort," Head Coach Mike James said. "When you take a look at the balance of guys who contributed in the scoring department, the balance who grabbed rebounds and the number of players with assists and steals you know everyone worked their butt off on the floor."

PUC hosts Indiana University Northwest at 6 p.m. Friday to finish the 2006 portion of the schedule.

Four Peregrines score double figures, slap a paint job on Bearcats

REC CENTER (Dec. 14, 2006) – Painting by numbers, the Peregrines chose the number 20 and converted each of those 20 attempts in the lane to dominate the inside game. Controlling the paint helped the Peregrines (7-5) finish with a 76-71 win against Brescia University (6-9) in front of a rowdy crowd.

PUC more than doubled its opponent's output under the rim scoring 40 points compared to just 18 for the Bearcats for the game. While the Peregrines used their inside strength on the offensive end, the Bearcats racked up 30 points from the 3-point arc. They hit 50 percent of their three's in the first half, but shot only 26 percent from the arc in the second half as the PUC defense closed out quicker around the 3-point stripe hampering Brescia's shooting performance.

Senior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) led all scorers with 21 points, including seven in the final four minutes of action, and shot 60 percent from the field in the win. Wheeler also had four assists and one steal.

When Wheeler wasn't scoring on the inside, teammates Charles Cruz (Gavit) and Vince Johnson (Bishop Noll) picked up the slack. Cruz finished with 17 points hitting 53 percent from the field, and he grabbed four rebounds. Johnson led all scorers at the half with a dozen. The junior swingman finished the night with 16 points shooting 54 percent from the field, which included two thunderous dunks in the second half, one blocked shot in the first and eight rebounds overall leading both squads. 

Junior guard Steve Polak was the fourth Peregrine to enjoy a double digit scoring night. Polak connected on three 3-point baskets in the first 20 minutes and finished the game with 11 points and six rebounds in the win. Point guard Marcus Ford added seven more assists to his team high 46 on the season (3.8 per game). The senior also added six points to the offense.

On the offense, PUC shot 59 percent from the field in the second half and finished hitting 50 percent of its shots for the contest compared to Brescia's 45 percent. PUC had a slight edge scoring 11 points off Brescia turnovers, while the Bearcats scored seven points on PUC turnovers.

The men host Taylor University (8-7) next Tuesday beginning at 7 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for this Saturday.

• Box Score

Peregrines hold off pesky Panthers in cross-county rivalry, win 81-77

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind.(Dec. 3, 2006) – In the one statistical category that mattered, Purdue University Calumet was good enough to collect its sixth win of the season. The Peregrines (6-5) shot nearly 51 percent from the field and five percent better than the home team for the nonconference win.

Senior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) led all scorers with 25 points. Wheeler leads the Peregrine averaging 18.2 points per game this season. Wheeler hit a pair of three-pointers and was nine of 15 from the field. He also had three rebounds, two assists and two steals in the win.

Steve Polak (Clark) also had a good night from the field hitting 50 percent overall, 66 percent from the 3-point arc, and 100 percent from the charity stripe to finish with 16 points. Polak also had a pair of assists and steals.

Off the bench, Marcus Summers (Gavit) was perfect from the field hitting three field goals, including a pair of 3-point baskets. The junior finished with 10 points, his highest output of the season, and had three assists.

Junior Vince Johnson (Bishop Noll) scored nine points and shot 50 percent from the floor. Johnson, the team's third leading rebounder averaging 4.3 per game, grabbed five rebounds and had a pair of assists.

Sophomore Charles Cruz (Gavit) added eight  points, three assists, two shot blocks and two steals. Cruz, the Peregrines' leading rebounder averaging 6.8 per game, grabbed six boards in the win. Derek Withers (Harrison, Lafayette) also scored eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and had five rebounds.

The Peregrines host Brescia University, Kentucky, Thursday at 7 p.m.

• Box Score

Wheeler, Polak heat up in the second half, lead Peregrines to win

REC CENTER (Nov. 29, 2006) – Early in the second half, the Peregrine offense was flat and allowed Judson College creep back into the game knotting the score at 47 following an 11-0 run with 13:29 to play. But an 18-5 run late in the final nine minutes lead to a 76-61 win for the home team.

Game scoring leaders Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) and Steve Polak (Clark) combined for 6-of-9 from beyond the three-point stripe in that stretch run. Wheeler was 7-of-10 from the field, including three 3-pointers and finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals. The senior captain buried back-to-back threes to extend the lead to points, 60-50. Polak finished with 13 points, five steals, three assists and three rebounds.

Sophomore Charles Cruz (Gavit) had a solid game for the second consecutive time. Cruz came off the bench early in the first half and shot 50 percent from the field good for eight first half points and six rebounds. He finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, the team leader with 57 in nine games.

Point guard Marcus Ford (Wirt) scored nine points, six assists and three steals. Vince Johnson (Bishop Noll) popped in eight points and grabbed three rebounds in the win.

The Peregrines (5-4) out-shot Judson College from the field with a 47 percent average, 39 percent from the 3-point stripe on offense. In the paint, the Peregrines out-scored the Eagles 40-24. The Peregrine bench registered 23 points. From the defensive side, the Peregrines forced the Eagles (1-9) into 30 turnovers accounting for 19 points.

The Peregrines are on the road for their next two games. Saturday they play Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne. Tip off is 4 p.m. EST. Next Tuesday, PUC will face its sister school Purdue North Central in Michigan City beginning at 7 p.m.

• Box Score

Driving Ford hits a buzzer beater, Peregrines earn a last second win

REC CENTER (Nov. 27, 2006) – Point guard Marcus Ford (Wirt) has two speeds; fast and faster. With 4.9 seconds to play, Ford slipped past his defender at the exact moment that teammate Steve Polak (Clark) flipped a pass to the speeding point guard. Ford pulled up for a 12-footer that hit the square on the backboard perfectly and the ball dropped through the net as the buzzer sounded ending the game for a 76-75 thriller. 

"That takes guts and determination to drive like he did and hit that shot," PUC Head Coach Mike James said.

The Peregrines (4-4) trailed 75-74 after Spalding University of Louisville, Kent. guard Chartrae'l Hall split a pair of free throws with 4.9 seconds left. The Peregrines had to go the distance on the court from the visitors end, which didn't allow for an offensive set play, only some last second heroics.

Ford finished the night with 17 points hitting 7-of-8 from the field (.875). He also had three rebounds and three assists. Polak earned his second assist of the night on the last pass to Ford. Polak scored 14 points and hit 3-of-6 from the 3-point arc.

Top scorer for the Peregrines was Charles Cruz (Gavit) who was 10-of-13 (.769) from the field for a total of 26 points. The sophomore was two-of-three from the 3-point strip and four-of-five from the charity stripe. Senior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) added eight points, eight rebounds and three assists in the win.

Wednesday, both the men and women host Judson College. The Lady Peregrines (1-5) tip at 5 p.m. and the men follow at approximately 7 p.m.

• Box Score

Indiana University Southeast knocks off Peregrines, 86-69

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (Nov. 25, 2006) – Steve Polak (Clark) scored his season high 18 points, including four 3-point baskets, and Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) managed 15 points and a season high 10 rebounds for the Peregrines (3-4) last Saturday in southern Indiana. But it wasn’t enough to earn a come-from-behind win as IU Southeast won 86-69 in the nonconference game.

Polak was 7-of-16 from the field, dished out five assists and collected three steals in the loss. Wheeler, the team’s scoring leader at 20.1 per game, was 6-of-9 from the field and added four assists to his game totals.

Freshman forward Derek Withers (Lafayette/Harrison) scored his season high 13 points hitting 50 percent of his shots, which included three 3-pointers. Withers also grabbed seven rebounds and had two assists.

Sophomore Charles Cruz (Gavit) scored nine points and collected six rebounds. Cruz leads the Peregrines with 43 rebounds this season.

Indiana Wesleyan's three-point barrage drops Peregrines to .500

REC CENTER (Nov. 18,  2006) – It rained and wouldn't stop raining three-pointers for Indiana Wesleyan University in the first and second halves of Saturday's game. Five Wildcats accounted for 13 successful three-pointers, and as a team they hit 68 percent from beyond the arc cruising to an 83-46 win. Indiana Wesleyan is undefeated in its first five games.

Purdue University Calumet trailed from the tip-off, but closed the gap to 28-22 with 6:18 to play in the first half. Senior Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) led the Peregrines (3-3) with a dozen points in the opening 20 minutes to help keep the game tight. But in the final six minutes of the first half, the Wildcats opened the lead with a 13-5 run to finish ahead at the half, 41-27.

The second half started similar to the first 20 minutes with Wesleyan picking up a quick 10 points, while PUC struggled from the field for two points. Eight minutes into the second half Wesleyan built its lead to 54-34 as the duo of Joel Tonagel, 17 points, and Antonio Murrell, 11 points, continued to hit 3-pointers extending the Wildcat lead.

Wesleyan shot 65 percent from the field for the game and 76 percent from the free throw line for its offensive success. Defensively, the Wildcats forced 22 Peregrine turnovers and finished with seven team steals, and held the Peregrines to 19 points in the second half.

Wheeler was the only Peregrine in double figures, including a pair of three-pointers. Charles Cruz (Gavit) scored six points, had three rebounds and a pair of assists. Derek Withers (Harrison, Lafayette) hit a pair of three-pointers to finish with six points. Marcus Summers (Gavit) chipped in five points, grabbed five rebounds, had two assists and a steal.

PUC travels to New Albany to face the Indiana University Southeast Grenadiers. Tip-off is 3 p.m. EST. The next home game for the men is Monday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. to host Spalding University from Louisville, Kent.

Peregrines ring up two road wins in La Quinta Inn Suites Classic

DEERFIELD, Ill. (Nov. 11,  2006) – Four Peregrines scored in double digits leading to an 80-73 win against Iowa Wesleyan College at Trinity International University in the two-day tournament. On the first night of the tournament, Purdue University Calumet (3-2) beat Trinity 74-54 to sweep the weekend action.

On Saturday, senior Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) was 7-of-12 (.583) from the field for 20 points. He also had a pair of offensive rebounds and two assists. Senior point guard Marcus Ford (Wirt) finished with 18 points, including a perfect night from beyond the 3-point arc hitting four. Ford also sizzled from the field hitting 6-of-7 (.857). He also had four assists, three rebounds and one steal.

As a team, the Peregrines shot .592 from the floor. The Peregrines held a 37-32 lead at the half, and then maintained pressure to keep the Tigers (3-3) behind for the entire 20 minutes.

Charles Cruz (Gavit) was 5-of-9 from the field for 14 points. The sophomore grabbed nine rebounds, barely missing his first double-double of the season.  Cruz, the team's leading rebounder last season,  has 20 in his first three games this season.

Vince Johnson (Bishop Noll) was the Peregrines' fourth player in double figures scoring 11 points on 5-of-8 from the field. He also grabbed three rebounds in the win. Steve Polak (Clark) scored nine points before fouling out of the contest.

Purdue University Calumet hosts undefeated Indiana Wesleyan University on Saturday in the Fitness & Recreation Center beginning at 3 p.m.

PNC, Cal College winners in the eighth Kettle Classic; first PUC loss

HAMMOND CIVIC CENTER (Nov. 8,  2006) – For full details on the Kettle Classic, click on the following link to the Northwest Indiana Times and the article written by correspondent Paul Oren.

http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2006/11/09/sports/college_sports/119004af7ab65ba186257221001acc61.txt

Clutch free throws in final seconds of overtime secure Peregrine win

REC CENTER (Nov. 2,  2006) – James Washington (Arsenal Tech) hit the second of two free throws with 16.4 seconds to play in overtime and put the Peregrines up 96-95. A little more than 10 seconds later, team captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) sealed the deal by hitting nothing but the bottom of the net with a pair of free throws for a 98-95 lead with 3.6 seconds remaining. The Peregrine defense forced East-West University guard Rodney Williams to take a wild 3-point shot that missed badly at the buzzer and gave PUC (1-1) its first win of the season.

"We missed some free throws late in the second half that might have won this game in regulation," Head Coach Mike James said. "But I was pleased to see that when the game was in the final seconds our guys could step up."

The Peregrines forced overtime when senior Marcus Ford (Wirt) hit the second of two free throws with 8.8 seconds remaining in regulation. The point guard missed registering a double-double by one point. He finished with nine points and 10 assists and two turnovers, which he committed in the first half.

Purdue University Calumet had a pair of scoring leaders. Wheeler finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds, 10 in the second half and overtime. The senior also had three steals and assists.

Charles Cruz (Gavit) matched Wheeler with 21 points shooting 52 percent from the field. The sophomore forward had an impressive night on the glass collecting 16 rebounds, 11 in the second half and overtime, to lead all rebounders.

Junior Steve Polak (Clark) shot 50 percent from beyond the arc connecting for three 3-point baskets on his way to a 17-point night. Polak brought the crowd back into the game late in the second half after a pair of thunderous dunks during a Peregrine comeback.

Peregrine center Kevin Thomas (Highland) missed the final six minutes of regulation and overtime after rolling his ankle late in the second half. But before the 6-8 junior left, he scored 14 points on 6-of-12 from the field and grabbed four rebounds.

Bishop Noll alumni Lawrence Sandlin and Vince Johnson combined for 15 points for the Peregrines. Sandlin scored eight and grabbed three rebounds in a critical part of the second half. Johnson scored seven points and grabbed nine rebounds in the win.

PUC owned East-West University (0-1) on the boards more than doubling the Phantoms 56-27. The Peregrines were also more generous dishing out the ball for 25 assists, while the Phantoms had a mere four.

Purdue University Calumet will face Calumet College of St. Joseph's in the second game of the Kettle Classic, Wednesday, at the Hammond Civic Center. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. The next home game for the Peregrines is Saturday, Nov. 18 against Indiana Wesleyan University beginning at 3 p.m.

Bethel College turns Peregrine charity into season opening win

REC CENTER (October 31, 2006) – Jay Harmas (North Central) stole the ball deep in Bethel's end of the court with 1:25 to play. Harmas blew past the defense, got to half court, fired the ball to Steve Polak (Clark) who was sprinting towards the free throw line. Polak caught the ball and flipped it ahead on his left to Lawrence Sandlin (Bishop Noll) who slipped past his defender for a layup and cut the Bethel lead to 74-70 with 1:18 left.

But the Peregrines (0-1) could not close the gap during the final seconds of the contest losing 81-75 to the Pilots (1-0). Bethel College hit six of seven free throws in the final 53 seconds and added a 3-point play for the win. The Pilots made 14 more trips to the free throw line than Purdue University Calumet and hit 29 of 39 (74.4 percent) for the game and spoiled the home opener in front of a nearly packed house.

Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) led all scorers with 19 points, 17 in the second half. Wheeler shot 7 of 10 from the field.  Marcus Ford, (Wirt) in his PUC debut, added 13 points, five assists and three steals. Charles Cruz (Gavit) scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half, with four rebounds. Polak (Clark) was perfect from the free throw line 4-4, with 11 points, three steals. 

In the second half, the Peregrines matched the Pilots scoring 47 points each. The margin of victory ended up being the six point deficit at halftime. It was the closest finish for PUC in the last five years against Bethel.  

"We played extremely hard in the second half and we forced them into more turnovers, but we couldn't capitalize on enough of their errors," Head Coach Mike James said. "We were sloppy with the ball in the first half with 15 turnovers and you can't be that sloppy against a team like Bethel."

Both squads played sluggish at times in the opening half and forced the ball on the offensive ends of the court. The Pilots had 17 first half errors and finished with 30, while the Peregrines limited their mistakes to a mere four in the second half.

The Peregrines host East-West University, Chicago, Thursday, beginning at 7 p.m.

Peregrines open 2006-07 season hosting Bethel College

HAMMOND, Ind. (October 29, 2006) –  Attendance figures should improve this season to watch four returning starters who all earned Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference post-season awards at the end of the 2005-06 campaign. But fans will also want to catch a glimpse of the seven new recruits that give the Peregrines its deepest and talented bench in more than a decade.

The Peregrines host Bethel College beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Fitness & Recreation Center. 

Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) is the lone returning senior who led the Peregrines with 17.3 points per game. He finished the season scoring 504 points and was the 17th men’s player in the 25-year history of the current program to earn a spot in the 1,000-point club. Wheeler was named to the First Team in the CCAC. Also earning first team honors was junior 6-8 center Kevin “K.T.” Thomas (Highland), who averaged 9.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season. Junior Steve Polak (Clark) earned Honorable Mention status in the CCAC and finished the season as the leader in free throw shooting percentage (.711), steals (60/2.1 per game) and assists (72/2.5). Polak was the Peregrines second leading scorer averaging 14.1 ppg and led the team hitting .484 from the 3-point stripe. Sophomore Charles Cruz (Gavit) also picked up Honorable Mention status in the CCAC. He led the team with 193 rebounds, a 6.8 per game average. Cruz was the third leading scorer on the team averaging 13.5 per game.

Among the new recruits is senior point guard Marcus Ford (Wirt) who played three seasons at University of Tennessee-Martin; junior Vince Johnson (Bishop Noll), a 6-5 swingman, who scored double digits for the Des Moines Area Community College Bears and was all conference twice at Noll; 6-5 freshman Derek Withers (William Harrison, Lafayette), who led his team with 12.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game; 6-5 freshman Drew Polak (Clark), who led the Pioneers to a sectional basketball title, their first in more than 30 years; and freshman point guard Jay Harmas, a two-year starter at 4A top-10 ranked Indianapolis North Central.  

The combination of returning talent and a deeper bench should help the Peregrines move up in the CCAC standings, according to Head Coach Mike James. “The competition in practice has really improved the level of play from everybody,” James said. “I think we’re going to pose a problem for every one in the conference. This is one of the better groups that we’ve had in a quite a while. If we stay focused and intense mentally, we’ll be able to finish near the top of the CCAC.”

Three locals standouts, Ford, Johnson, Polak, sign with the Peregrines

HAMMOND, Ind. (August 21, 2006) – Marcus Ford (Wirt) who played two seasons with NCAA Division 1 University of Tennessee at Martin will finish his collegiate career at Purdue University Calumet. The 6-0 point guard averaged 2.7 points per game shot .406 from the field and had 2.8 assists per game in limited duty in his last season with the Skyhawks. His collegiate career highlight was against Duke University when he scored nine points and had five assists in Cameron Hall.

The Peregrines also picked up Vince Johnson (Bishop Noll/Des Moines Area Community College), a 6-5 swingman, who averaged double digits in scoring for the DMACC Bears as a sophomore. At Noll, Johnson was an all-conference player twice.

Drew Polak (Clark) has also agreed to play with the Peregrines for the 2006-07 season. The 6-5 guard was named as a second-team all-area player for The Times leading the Pioneers to a sectional basketball title, its first since 1972. He was also the ace for the Pioneers who won a regional title last season.

Also signed out of Indianapolis, is Justin Latimore (North Central), a 6-4 forward. Latimore will be red-shirted for the first semester until he is academically eligible. Latimore’s high school teammate Jay Harmas committed to PUC in June.

Head Coach Mike James was satisfied with the final four recruits for the 2006-07 campaign.

“We’re real pleased with who we were able to bring in,” James said. “Marcus is a proven collegiate talent and a true point guard, which is what we need.

“Vince can score inside and outside and can really get after rebounds. With Drew, all you have to do is look at his accomplishments from last season to judge the type of athlete he is, and Justin is going to be able to help us when he becomes eligible.”

Peregrines sign Indianapolis North Central point guard Harmas

HAMMOND, Ind. (June 1, 2006) – Purdue University Calumet made one of its best off-season moves signing Indianapolis North Central’s Jay Harmas, a 6-0 point guard. The two-year starter helped the 4A top 10 ranked North Central Panthers to a 20-4 finish last season and a 17-9 finish in 2004-05.

Basketball expert Rick Bolus, judging prep talent since 1973 and a sponsor of NCAA certified “blue chip” basketball camps, ranked Harmas among the top 100 players from Indiana for 2005-06.  

Harmas played in 13 games last season and averaged three assists per game. As a junior he averaged six ppg and three apg and committed only 20 turnovers all season. Harmas was an All Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference honorable mention last season and an All Conference player as a junior.

 “He’s definitely a strong addition to our program,” PUC head coach Mike James said.

Harmas’ affinity for finding open teammates should improve overall scoring for the Peregrines who averaged 74.4 points per game. He should also increase the Peregrines’ assist average per game; 13 per game last season. That was his role in high school.

“He ran the show for North Central as far as setting up his teammates,” James said. “He wasn’t a big scorer because that was something he didn’t have to do for them. I think he’ll be able to shoot and score in our offense, and he’ll really improve ball distribution.”

In his three seasons on the varsity, Harmas teamed with some of the top prep talent in the country, including the 2005-06 Associated Press All-State First Team guard Eric Gordon, who has verbally committed to the University of Illinois, 2004-05 Indiana Mr. Basketball A.J. Ratliff, now a sophomore at Indiana University, and 2005-06 All-MAC Second Team player Julien “Skip” Mills, a junior at Ball State.

As a junior, Harmas had his best offensive night with 21 points and six assists. In back-to-back games he scored 19 points. Last season his top totals for a game included 13 points, 8 assists, 6 steals, and 4 rebounds.

Wheeler named Peregrine MVP, Thomas earns Most Improved

HAMMOND, Ind. (April 7, 2006) – Junior captain and the team's leading scorer Minuyard Wheeler was named the Peregrine Most Valuable Player for the 2005-06 campaign. Wheeler received the award during the Chancellor's Reception honoring Purdue University Calumet's basketball, dance and cheer teams.

Wheeler averaged 17.3 points per game for the season and 14.6 ppg in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference games, 8th best overall. He had the second highest field goal (.549) and 3-point goal (.343) shooting percentages on the team and the 5th best 3-point shooting percentage in the conference at .462. He led the team as the high scorer on 10 occasions and scored his season-high 30 points in a win against nationally-ranked Indiana University Southeast. He also finished with 12 rebounds in the game for his first double-double of the season.

Wheeler finished the year with 504 total points and became the 17th men's player to score 1,000 or more points in his basketball career at PUC. Wheeler also was the team's second leading rebounder finishing with 151 total and 5.2 per game.

Sophomore center Kevin Thomas collected post-season hardware as the team's Most Improved Player. Both Thomas and Wheeler were selected as First Team All-CCAC players this past season. Thomas averaged 9.8 ppg for the entire season and 12.9 in conference games. In rebounding, Thomas grabbed 144 total rebounds (5.5 per game) and averaged 6.4 in CCAC play, 5th best in the conference. His totals this season more than doubled his numbers in his freshman year, which contributed to his most improved player status.  

Marcus Summers, a sophomore reserve guard, took home the Pride, Hustle & Desire Award. Head Coach Mike James said Summers absolutely deserved the honor. "Marcus does a lot of things that don't always appear in statistics at the end of a game or the end of a season," James said. "He definitely takes advantage of every minute that he plays during a game and he plays as hard during practices."

Summers finished with 55 total points, 40 rebounds, 30 assists and 14 steals in 323 minutes of action during the season. Two of his best performances came at the end of the season against CCAC rivals University of Saint Francis and Olivet Nazarene University. Summers had a season-high six assists against USF along with five rebounds and scored a season-high 11 points against ONU.

Also receiving awards were sophomore guard Steve Polak and freshman forward Charles Cruz. Both players earned All-CCAC Honorable Mention status for the 2005-06 season.

Polak finished the season as the leader in free throw shooting percentage, steals and assists. He shot .711 from the charity stripe, had 60 steals (2.1 per game) and 72 assists (2.5 per game). He averaged 1.4 spg in conference play, 7th best. On offense, Polak was the Peregrines second leading scorer averaging 14.1 ppg overall, and 13.6 in the CCAC, 10th best. He led the Peregrines hitting .484 from the 3-point stripe and had the fourth best 3-point percentage in the CCAC hitting .474 of his shots. Polak was the team's high scorer in seven games this past season, including a three-game stretch when he scored 77 points total (25.5 per game) and hit his season-high mark of 27 points.

Cruz earned the Top Newcomer Award and finished as the team's leading rebounder grabbing 193 total for a 6.8 per game average. His 6.0 rpg during conference games was 8th best in the CCAC and his 4.18 defensive rebounds per game in conference was 7th best. He led the Peregrines in the rebounding department in 17 games, including his season high of 11 in two games. Cruz, the third leading scorer on the team averaging 13.5 per game, was the leading scorer and rebounder in four games this past season. His best statistical collegiate performance was against I.U. Northwest when he scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Lafayette 6-5 forward Withers signs with PUC for 2006-07 season

HAMMOND, Ind. (March 10) – Derek Withers, a 6-5 senior at William Harrison High School in Lafayette, Ind., has committed to Purdue University Calumet to further his basketball career. Withers, a starting forward for the 16-7 Raiders, led his team this season averaging 12.1 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. He closed out his high school career scoring 14 points against Logansport in a sectional semifinal loss. Withers scored a career-high 30 points last November in a 67-48 victory over Frankfort.

Withers will help in the scoring department and be asked to make a strong contribution from the start of the season, according to PUC Head Coach Mike James.

“He should make an immediate impact,” James said.  “Derek will help us specifically as a shooter in mostly the No. 3 spot and maybe a little at No. 2. And for his size, he should be able to help us out pretty good in the rebounding department,” James said.

The Peregrines, who finished 13-16, averaged 74.4 points per game last season, and they hit 47.6 percent from the field and 31.2 percent from the 3-point stripe. In rebounding, the Peregrines averaged 34.9 rebounds per game and gave up 35.7 per game. Withers’ scoring ability should complement guard Steve Polak (Clark), the Peregrines’ second leading scorer at 14.1 ppg.

“He’s a good solid and strong kid and he can score from the inside and has a good shot from the outside,” James said. “He’ll be a real nice addition to our program and be able to compete for a lot of quality minutes.”

Seven PUC men and women named to CCAC All-Conference squads

HAMMOND, Ind. (March 3, 2006) – Seven players from Purdue University Calumet’s men and women’s basketball program were selected to the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference and Honorable Mention teams. Junior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) and sophomore center Kevin Thomas (Highland) for the men’s team, and senior captain Sarah Vaughn (Rushville, Ill.) from the women’s squad, were all named to the first team in the CCAC.

Wheeler led the Peregrines in scoring with 17.3 points per game and finished as the eighth leading scorer in the CCAC. Wheeler also entered PUC’s history books becoming the 17^th men’s player to gain a spot in the 1,000-point club. He is the 26^th player overall to score 1,000 or more points at PUC. Thomas averaged 12.9 ppg in conference games, 6.4 rpg, and led the team Peregrines with a .554 field goals made percentage.

Vaughn concluded her collegiate career leading the Lady Peregrines in assists (3.4 per CCAC game) and steals (1.8 per game), was second in free throw shooting percentage (.787) and was the third leading scorer at 10.4 ppg. She led the CCAC hitting .854 percent from the free throw line.

Sophomore guard Steve Polak (Clark) and freshman forward Charles Cruz (Gavit) of the men’s team and senior captain Nikki Borys (Crown Point) and sophomore guard Linsey Smith (Lake Central) from the women’s team were selected as CCAC honorable mention players.

Polak was the team leader in 3-point field goals made hitting .484 percent from the arc and fourth best in the CCAC. He also led the team with 60 steals for the season, was second overall with 72 assists and was the second leading scorer with 14.1 ppg. Cruz led the team in rebounding with a season total of 193 (6.8 rpg) and was eighth best in the CCAC. Cruz was third in scoring among Peregrines averaging 13.5 ppg, and had the highest free throw percent (.680) among active players.

For the women, Borys closed out her collegiate career as the Lady Peregrines’ leading scorer averaging 11 ppg., and 10^th best in the CCAC. Borys was second best in rebounding, 5.2 per game, second in overall assists (66) and in steals (42) and in 3-point field goal percentage (.328) for the season.

Smith finished as the fourth best scorer in the CCAC (13.6 ppg) and second among Lady Peregrines at 10.6 for the season. She led the Lady Peregrines in all shooting categories; .802 from the free throw line, .472 from the field, and .387 from the 3-point stripe. Smith was third best in assists (41) and steals (38) on the season.

St. Francis slips past Peregrines, 76-73, in CCAC quarterfinal opener

REC CENTER (February 28, 2006) – In a last gasp effort, junior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) flung a 3-point attempt as time expired and the ball kicked off the back iron. Wheeler missed the shot which would have sent the game into overtime, and the University of Saint Francis prevailed with a 76-73 win in a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference quarterfinal match-up. The Peregrine loss ends the 2005-06 season.

The Peregrines (13-16) were given an opportunity for a last shot when their defensive pressure forced the 15th turnover against the Fighting Saints (13-13) with 12 seconds remaining. Sophomore Steve Polak (Clark), who was 4-of-8 from the 3-point arc, tried to find a crease in the USF defense, but didn't have a clear look before he flipped the ball to Wheeler. Wheeler and Polak combined for 52 points in the loss.

Wheeler, who was presented a souvenir ball prior to the game for scoring the 1,000th point of his career, led all scorers with 29 points, 17 in the first half, on 86 percent shooting from the field (13-of-15). He also had four rebounds. The 6-4 forward was limited in playing time when he was whistled for his fourth personal foul four minutes into the second half. His 29 points were scored in 30:26 of playing time. 

Polak heated up in the second half connecting for 19 of his 23 points. During a 90-second stretch in the second half, Polak buried back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers and pulled the Peregrines to 56-50, the closest they'd been since the opening minutes of the game. He also dished the ball out for three assists and swiped the ball three times and had one shot block.

Saint Francis led by as many as 12 points at two occasions in the second half. Polak single-handedly cut the lead to six with 15 minutes to play. The teams battled defensively during the next four minutes before freshman Charles Cruz (Gavit) tightened the gap to 56-52. Cruz finished with six points, three shot blocks and a pair of rebounds.

Twenty seconds later, USF's Eric Epps (Rich South, Matteson) drilled the first of three consecutive 3-pointers in a two-minute period stretching the lead back to 65-54. The two teams exchanged buckets for the next three minutes, before the Peregrines' defense blanked the Fighting Saints for three minutes.

With 33 seconds left, Wheeler grabbed a rebound off a missed free throw by Epps. Wheeler never hesitated and sprinted up the floor and finished the job at the other end with a layup and closed the gap to 74-71. After Epps hit a pair of free throws for USF, Peregrine sophomore Lawrence Sandlin (Bishop Noll) swished back-to-back free throws, which ended up to be the final score. Sandlin had four points and four rebounds.

The Peregrines shot 51 percent from the field in the second half and finished at a 49 percent clip, and hit 80 percent from the charity stripe and finished with a 77 percent average. PUC also protected the ball for its best effort of the season with only six turnovers in the contest. PUC finished with a 2-to-1 assist to turnover rate in the loss.

• Box Score

Peregrines startle Olivet in first half, run out of steam in 84-57 loss

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. (February 25, 2006) – Purdue University Calumet had a 19-18 lead early in the contest and trailed 39-31 at the end of the first half of Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference action Saturday against Olivet Nazarene University. But midway through the second half, the CCAC leading Tigers (21-9, 11-2) broke the game open on a 21-4 run leading to an 84-57 win.

The Peregrine loss did not change the seeding for the CCAC tournament that begins Tuesday. PUC hosts a quarterfinal game against the University of Saint Francis (12-13, 5-7) beginning at 7 p.m. The two teams split head-to-head during the regular season with both winning road games.

On Saturday, the Peregrines (13-15, 6-6) kept the contest tight with just under 13 minutes left in the second half. Center Kevin Thomas (Highland), who lead all scorers with 18 points and also grabbed six rebounds, was deep in the lane when he took a pass from guard Steve Polak (Clark). Thomas spun outside and tapped the ball off the glass and was fouled on the shot. Thomas finished the 3-point-play with a free throw and brought the Peregrines to 47-44.

But over the course of the next six-plus minutes, the Peregrines could not get a shot from the field to fall. Olivet upped the ante from the 3-point arc and connected three times during its 21-4 run. Polak, who finished with five points and three steals, stopped the Peregrine dry spell from the field hitting his only field goal of the game with 6:06 remaining. The Tigers had a comfortable 68-48 lead that never was threatened.

PUC's bench had to play more of a starting role with the absence of the team's leading rebounder Charles Cruz who was resting an ankle sprain. Guard Lawrence Sandlin (Bishop Noll) was 4-of-7 from the field (57 percent) and finished with 11 points and five rebounds. Also at the guard position, sophomore Marcus Summers (Gavit) was an offensive and defensive spark in the first half. Summers hit three shots on three attempts for seven points at the half. He finished with nine points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Both Polak and junior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) struggled from the field combining for 5-of-20. Wheeler finished with nine points, all in the first half. Wheeler also had five rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Peregrines shot 50 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes, but the dry spell in the second half contributed to an 8-for-24 success rate (33 percent) in the second half.

• Box Score

No. 2 Robert Morris College too much for Peregrines in 93-61 loss

REC CENTER (February 22, 2006) – Robert Morris College's size and depth showed its strength midway through the first half and took control of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference contest. The Eagles (24-3 overall, 9-2 CCAC) ended their one-game skid with a 93-61 win against Purdue University Calumet (13-14, 6-5). It was the second time this season that the Peregrines were catching the NAIA Division I second-ranked Eagles after a loss and a little anger in their tank.

The Eagles used their 3-point prowess hitting seven-of-17 (41.2 percent) in the first half to build a 54-27 lead at the intermission. RMC ranks first in the CCAC averaging 40 percent per game from the 3-point arc. The Eagles also hit 53.7 percent from the field (22-of-41) in the first 20 minutes helping to build the lead.

The Peregrines had a decent first half from the field hitting nearly 42 percent. Sophomore guard Steve Polak (Clark) had 13 points at the half and led both teams as the top scorer. Polak, the team's second leading scorer, and 11th in the CCAC, finished with 20 points to lead all scorers. He was 7-of-11 from the field (63.6 percent), including a pair of 3-pointers. Polak was perfect at the free throw line (4-of-4), grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists.

Sophomore center Kevin Thomas (Highland), the team's leading field goals made percentage at 56 percent per game, finished with 16 points on 54.5 percent shooting from the field. He also had five rebounds in the loss. Sophomore guard Lawrence Sandlin (Bishop Noll) hit 50 percent of his shots and finished with seven points and four rebounds.

Junior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt), the Peregrines leading scorer and second best in the CCAC, didn't hit his season average of 17.6 points per game. But his 11 points sealed a spot in the school's record books. Wheeler became the 17th men's player and the 26th player overall to score 1,000 points in his career. Wheeler scored 72 points during his freshman year, had 460 last year as a sophomore and has 468 to date this season.

The men travel to Bourbonnais this Saturday to face Olivet Nazarene University, the CCAC standings leader, at 3 p.m. for the final regular season contest. It will be the second game of the afternoon following the Lady Peregrines contest at 1 p.m. Next Tuesday, Feb. 28, the men will host a first round CCAC tournament game beginning at 7 p.m.

Thomas explodes for 31 points, leads Peregrines to 81-73 CCAC win

REC CENTER (February 15, 2006) – Indiana University South Bend had no answer for stopping 6-8 Peregrine center Kevin Thomas (Highland). The sophomore embarrassed every defender and dominated the paint for a career best 31 points as Purdue University Calumet swept the season series with IUSB in a 81-73 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory.

Thomas went to work early on the inside and frustrated his counterpart 6-7 center Justin Van Dyke, who picked up his third foul in the first half and played only eight and a half minutes of the opening period. Thomas led all scorers in the first half with 17 points giving the Peregrines (13-13 overall, 6-4 CCAC) a 35-28 lead at the break.

When action resumed, the Peregrines continued to pound the ball into Thomas who continued to own any and all defenders, including Van Dyke who was whistled for his fourth foul in the first four minutes of the second half. Thomas hit 13-of-23 (57 percent) from the field and barely missed a double-double with nine rebounds. He also had four assists.

"At the beginning of the season we said that K.T. was the X-factor on this team," Head Coach Mike James said. "He's continued to improve all season, and tonight's performance was really impressive. I liked how we got him the ball and I liked what he was able to do. He simply took charge."

Junior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) is the only other Peregrine to register a 30-point performance this season. He was the second leading PUC scorer Wednesday night finishing with 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal. Wheeler was 7-of-8 from the field (87 percent) and 2-of-3 from the 3-point stripe (66 percent). Wheeler, the second leading scorer in the CCAC with 17.6 ppg, has a career 989 points at Purdue University Calumet and will likely be the 17th men's player to enter the 1,000-point club before the season ends.

Senior captain Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) hit 50 percent of his shots from the field and 50 percent of his shots from the 3-point stripe and finished with 13 points. He tied as the second leading rebounder with eight and dished out five assists, had one shot block and one steal. Sophomore guard Steve Polak (Clark) chipped in eight points, including a pair of three-pointers. Charles Cruz (Gavit), the team's leading rebounder averaging 7.2 rpg, finished with eight rebounds, four points and two assists.

As a team, the Peregrines shot 57 percent from the field and 56 percent from the 3-point arc. The Peregrines also controlled the glass grabbing 41 rebounds compared to the Titans (3-23, 1-8) 35 rebounds. Van Dyke, the third leading scorer in the CCAC averaging 16.9 ppg, was held to only four points.

The Peregrines will host Robert Morris College (23-2, 8-1) next Wednesday at 7 p.m. for the final regular season home game. Robert Morris College is ranked 2nd in the nation among NAIA Division I teams.

• Box Score

Saint Francis avenges its home loss, beating PUC on its home court

REC CENTER (February 11, 2006) – Last month, Purdue University Calumet handed the University of Saint Francis (Joliet, Ill.) its first home loss of the season in an overtime Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference thriller. Saturday night at the Peregrines' homecoming, the Fighting Saints returned the favor. USF hit 68 percent of its shots from the field in the second half to land the 80-65 conference win.

The Peregrines (12-13, 5-4) had the homecoming crowd on its feet in the opening five minutes leading with 12-0. But during the next 15 minutes, the Fighting Saints went on a 34-15 run and took a seven point lead into the locker room. The Peregrines were also hampered with foul trouble forcing Head Coach Mike James to use a variety of lineups. PUC was whistled for 17 first half fouls keeping three players sidelined in foul trouble. The University of Saint Francis scored 15 points from the free throw line compared to PUC's four points in the opening half.

USF's first half shooting percentage from the field was weak hitting on only 33 percent if its shots. But in the second half the Fighting Saints more than doubled their first half total. The offense clicked and built a 17-point lead midway through the second half. And unlike the first game between the two conference foes in Joliet, when USF blew a 14-point lead in regulation, the Fighting Saints never relinquished their lead in Saturday's contest.

The Peregrines were lead for the second consecutive game by freshman Charles Cruz (Gavit) who scored 15 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out three assists. Sophomore swing guard Steve Polak (Clark) scored 14 points on 5-of-8 (62 percent) shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers. Polak also had three rebounds and a pair of assists. Junior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) finished with 13 points by also shooting 62 percent from the field. Wheeler grabbed three rebounds and two steals before fouling out of the game. Sophomore center Kevin Thomas (Highland) chipped in nine points in the loss.

Purdue University Calumet hosts Indiana University South Bend (3-22, 1-7) on Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m. The Peregrines beat IUSB, 82-63, in January.

• Box Score

Cruz, Thomas combine for 47 as Peregrines beat Scarlet Hawks, 83-61

REC CENTER (February 8, 2006) – Freshman Charles Cruz (Gavit) and sophomore Kevin Thomas (Highland) each had their best collegiate efforts Tuesday night in a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference contest against the Illinois Institute of Technology. Cruz led all scorers with 27 points and Thomas rang up 20 points as the pair accounted for 57 percent of the Peregrine offense in the 83-61 conference win.

Cruz, who normally averages 14 ppg, was on fire in the opening half hitting 9-of-11 (82 percent), including 2-for-2 from the 3-point stripe. He finished with four rebounds, one shot block and one steal. Cruz is the 10th leading scorer in the CCAC and the second scoring leader among freshmen, less than two points behind the leader. Thomas, who has the highest field goal made percentage of the starting unit at 55 percent, was 6-of-8 (75 percent) from the field for the game. He was also 8-of-10 from the free throw line, grabbed eight rebounds, had three assists and one shot block.

"Cruz and K.T. had one of those nights that anybody would want to experience," Head Coach Mike James said. "Cruz had a hot hand, especially in the first half with his jump shots. And K.T. went to work in the post to score. He did a nice job of either hitting his shots or drawing the foul for free throw opportunities."

Sophomore guard Steve Polak (Clark) started the game by drilling a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Polak finished with 12 points, five assists, four rebounds and a pair of steals. Polak is the CCAC leader with 53 steals this season.

Reserve guard Marcus Summers (Gavit) led the bench scoring seven points. Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) scored six points, had five assists and four rebounds. Back-up guard James Washington (Indianapolis, Ind.) had five assists and a pair of steals. The Peregrines were generous as a team handing out a season-high 24 assists accounting for a 58 percent shooting performance from the field, including 47 percent from the 3-point stripe.

PUC evened its overall record to 12-12 with the win and improved to 5-3 in the CCAC. The Peregrines won the rebounding contest, 37-22, which was 63 percent of the board work. Purdue University Calumet plays Saturday at 7 p.m. in the second game of Homecoming 2006 against the University of Saint Francis (9-12, 2-6). The Peregrines beat USF in Joliet last month in an 88-83 overtime win.

• Box Sore

Peregrines pull within six points in final 1:30, comeback falls short

CHICAGO (February 4, 2006) – Senior captain Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) drained his third 3-pointer with 90 seconds left to play and pulled the Peregrines to within 68-62 against St. Xavier University in a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference match Saturday. But the NAIA Division I 24th ranked Cougars (17-9 overall, 5-2 CCAC) worked the clock and maintained ball control in each of its next three possessions and closed out the game with a 74-64 conference win.

The Peregrines (11-12, 4-3) battled the entire second half trying to chip away at a 22-point halftime deficit, 47-25. The deficit was largely a result of a Purdue University Calumet offense that struggled in the opening 20 minutes connecting on only 7-of-27 (26 percent) from the field, including 3-of-13 (23 percent) from the 3-point stripe. But in the second half, three of PUC's top four scoring leaders found their range and helped the Peregrines double their made field goals compared to the first half.

For the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Peregrines trailed by 15, 16, or 17 points during the flow of action. At the 10:03 mark, Mosley hit his second 3-pointer of the game and pulled the Peregrines to 63-50, the closest they had been since midway through the opening half.

During the next three-plus minutes, junior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) and sophomore guard Steve Polak (Clark) led the offense and outscored the Cougars, 7-2, and sliced the lead to single digits, 65-57, with 6:35 remaining. St. Xavier's senior guard Jason Reiter, who led all scorers with 24 points, made an old school 3-point-play after he made a layup, was fouled and hit the free throw attempt for an 11 point Cougar lead. Peregrine reserve guard Lawrence Sandlin (Bishop Noll) scored a layup with 2:22 remaining. Neither team scored until Mosley's 3-pointer with 1:30 to play.

Wheeler, who had five points at half, scored an additional 15 in the second half to finish with 20 points, slightly above his season average, 18.4 ppg. Wheeler also led all rebounders in the game finishing with 10, including seven on the offensive glass. Mosley and Polak scored 15 points each for the Peregrines. Mosley also had six rebounds, five assists, one shot block and one steal. Polak grabbed five rebounds, had three assists and two steals in the loss. Center Kevin Thomas (Highland) scored six points, all at the free throw line, and grabbed nine rebounds before fouling out, while Charles Cruz (Gavit) finished with six points, four rebounds and three assists.

Purdue University Calumet hosts its next four CCAC contests beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m. to battle the Illinois Institute of Technology (2-21, 0-7). The Peregrines beat the Scarlet Hawks, 62-47, in Chicago in January. Saturday, the Peregrines will face the University of Saint Francis at 7 p.m. in the second game of PUC's homecoming.

• Box Score

Peregrines offense suffers scoreless drought leading to CCAC loss

REC CENTER (January 31, 2006) – Guard Steve Polak (Clark) hit a 20-foot 3-pointer to start the Peregrine offense in Tuesday’s Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference contest. Kevin Thomas (Highland) followed with a 6-foot bank shot, and Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) later connected on a 12-foot jumper from the right side for a 7-2 PUC lead. And then the Peregrine offense fell silent for the next eight-plus minutes.

Olivet Nazarene University (14-4 overall, 5-1 CCAC) went on a 22-0 run during those eight-plus minutes in the first half and never relinquished the lead in a 71-57 win. The loss dropped the Peregrines (11-11, 4-2) into third place in the conference one-half game behind Robert Morris College.

The Tigers had their offense in high gear hitting 48 percent from the field (15-of-31) in the first half and led 40-23 at the break. But the Peregrines left the locker room revved up for an improvement from the first 20 minutes. PUC outscored ONU 16-9 in the opening 10 minutes to close the lead to 49-39. The Peregrines continued to creep closer to the Tigers during the next two minutes as Mosley and junior Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) cranked up their offense.

Purdue University Calumet cut into the lead, 53-45, with 8:33 remaining and three minutes later, the Peregrines were still within striking distance when Mosley hit a bank shot to draw within 60-51. But the Tigers scored on their next possession and then maintained a double-digit lead for the remainder of the contest. PUC outscored ONU in the second half, 34-31, and improved from the field hitting 54 percent (14-of-26) compared to ONU's 41 percent.

The Peregrines were led by their captains with Wheeler, the game's high scorer, finishing with 16 points (7-of-13) and three rebounds. Wheeler is the third leading scorer in the CCAC. Mosley scored 13, grabbed six rebounds and had three shot blocks. Mosley is the 12th leading scorer and third in shot blocks in the CCAC.

Polak, the 11th leading scorer in the conference, added nine points, four rebounds and a pair of steals. Polak leads the CCAC with 2.32 steals per game and 51 overall, 13 more than second place. Thomas, who was hampered by early foul trouble, finished with eight points and five rebounds. Thomas is 10th in the CCAC hitting 57 percent of his field goals.

Purdue University Calumet travels to Chicago on Saturday to face St. Xavier University (15-8, 3-2) at 3 p.m. PUC opened the conference season with a 77-73 overtime upset win against SXU at the REC Center. St. Xavier University is nationally ranked 24th in Division I.

• Box Score

No. 2 ranked Robert Morris snaps Peregrine five-game win streak

CHICAGO (January 28, 2006) – Robert Morris College had a chip on its shoulder heading into Saturday's Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference action. It lost for only the second time this season last Tuesday and wasn't in the mood to suffer a second consecutive loss.

The NAIA Division II second-ranked Eagles satisfied their home crowd with a 109-78 conference win and stopped a season high five-game Peregrine win streak. The win created a three-way tie atop the CCAC with PUC, RMC and Olivet Nazarene University.

The Peregrines (11-10, 4-1 CCAC) host Olivet (13-9, 4-1) on Tuesday beginning at 6 p.m. in the front-end of a doubleheader with the Lady Peregrines who face the Lady Tigers (10-12, 3-2) at 8 p.m.

The Eagles (19-2, 4-1 CCAC) hit 52 percent of their 3-point shots (14-of-27) and were 45-of-82 from the field (55 percent) for the game. The Peregrines also cashed in from the 3-point stripe hitting 53 percent of their shots (5-of-12). But the Eagles attempted 20 more field goals and hit 15 of those 20 in the second half.

The Peregrines trailed 52-48 in the opening minutes of the second half. But during the next four minutes, RMC outscored PUC 18-5 to open up a 17-point lead.

Purdue University Calumet was also hurt by foul trouble when 6-8 sophomore center Kevin Thomas (Highland) picked up his fourth foul with 16:15 to play in the second half and later when 6-5 freshman forward Charles Cruz (Gavit) was hit with his fourth at the 11:30 mark of the second half. Both fouls, by the two most dominant low-post Peregrine players, weakened the inside presence. Thomas finished with eight points and four rebounds, while Cruz scored 15 and grabbed six rebounds.

Sophomore guard Steve Polak (Clark) led the Peregrines' offense and matched his season high with 26 points, including 6-of-7 from the 3-point stripe. Polak, the CCAC leader in steals with 48, also had two swipes, four rebounds, three assists and one shot block.

Junior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) scored 18 points, two under his season average, hitting 7-of-11 (64 percent) and grabbed seven rebounds. Senior captain Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) finished with 11 points in the loss.

The Peregrines trailed 48-39 at the half, and were hampered with 13 unforced turnovers. PUC had 20 turnovers in the contest compared to RMC's nine. The Eagles also won the rebounding contest, 40-30. Robert Morris College had six players in double figures led by 6-10 center Reggie George (Shepard) with 26 points.

• Box Score

Win streak reaches five as Peregrines hammer IUSB, 82-63

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (January 21, 2006) – Senior captain Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) drained a 3-pointer with 8:48 to play in the first half for a 21-19 advantage, and Purdue University Calumet never relinquished the lead. The Peregrines (11-9, 4-0 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference) had three players finish with double figures en route to a 82-63 conference win over Indiana University South Bend, Saturday.

With the win, the Peregrines took over sole possession of first place in the CCAC. It was also the third consecutive conference road win for the Peregrines.

Sophomore center Kevin Thomas (Highland) set the pace for the Peregrines with his first collegiate double-double registering 15 points and 14 rebounds. Thomas was 7-of-11 from the field, 64 percent, while collecting 41 percent of the team's rebounds. He also had four assists and two shot blocks as he controlled the interior play on the offensive end for PUC.

"K.T. is one of the hardest working players on this team and his inside effort really showed in today's game," Head Coach Mike James said. "At the beginning of the season we said he would be the X factor because of his size and potential. And now we're seeing how he's pushed his game to the next level."

Thomas had one point at the half and opened the second 20 minutes with six of the Peregrines' first eight points. His most demonstrative duce came at 8:35 of the second half when the 6-8 center took a pass at the free throw line with his back to the basket. Thomas wheeled on the defense, took two steps and slam-dunked the ball for a 66-49 lead.

Junior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) had his offense in high gear leading the Peregrines with 22 points. Wheeler, the third leading scorer in the CCAC, was 8-of-13 (62 percent) from the field, including 4-of-5 (80 percent) from the 3-point stripe. Wheeler also grabbed eight rebounds for PUC.

Sophomore guard Steve Polak (Clark) had his second best offensive output of the season with 20 points and added four rebounds. Polak was 8-of-11 (73 percent) from the field, including 3-of-4 from the 3-point line. Mosley and Charles Cruz (Gavit) each scored nine points in the contest. Mosley also collected six rebounds and dished out four assists for the Peregrines.

The Peregrines shot 58 percent from the field and 60 percent from the 3-point line. They also out-rebounded the Titans (2-17, 0-3) 34-23, out-scored the Titans 26-20 inside the paint, and scored 13 points off turnovers. PUC's road trip continues Saturday, Jan. 28, in Chicago to face Division I No. 4-ranked Robert Morris (18-1, 3-0). Game time is 6 p.m. in the first of a double-header with the Lady Peregrines battling in the second game. For directions to the game, click the link on the home page.

• Box Score

Peregrines win fourth consecutive with 88-83 OT CCAC road victory

JOLIET, Ill. (January 18, 2006) – Perfect is how the Peregrines shot from the free throw line in overtime, 6-for-6. Perfect is also how the Peregrines shot from the free throw line in the second half of regulation, 7-of-7. And with its third Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference win, Purdue University Calumet's conference record remains unblemished. Perfect.

The Peregrines (10-9, 3-0 CCAC) hit six free throws in the final 1:38 of overtime and outscored the University of Saint Francis 15-10 in the extra period for a 88-83 conference win and remained tied for first in the CCAC. It was the first time this season that the Fighting Saints (7-9, 0-3) lost on their home court.

Sophomore center Kevin Thomas (Highland) hit four free throws in the final minutes of the overtime and Charles Cruz (Gavit) added two with 24 seconds left to ice a come-from-behind win. Both players matched each other in scoring, 19 each, and both shared top team rebounding honors with nine each. Thomas' output was a season high.

PUC's sophomore guard Steve Polak (Clark) tied the game at 73-73 when he hit nothing but the bottom of the net on two made free throws with 46 seconds remaining in regulation. Neither team was able to score after Polak's free throws extending the game into overtime. Polak, who sat a majority of the contest in foul trouble, scored seven of his 15 points in the final four minutes of regulation. Polak also had three assists and three steals in the win.

The Peregrines trailed 50-36 with 14:39 to play when Head Coach Mike James called a timeout to invoke his squad to step-up their performance. During the next six minutes, PUC responded and eventually tied the game at 59-59 after senior co-captain Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) drained his second 3-pointer.

"It was time for a gut check," James said. "We weren't playing with the intensity that you need when you're battling to win and stay on top of the conference. Our guys definitely came back with the effort that I know they have in them after that timeout."

Mosley finished with 11 points, eight in the second half, six assists, five rebounds, two shot blocks and one dunk. Sophomore reserve guard Lawrence Sandlin (Bishop Noll) had his season high performance with 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal. Junior forward Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) scored 10 points in the win.

The Peregrines shot 48 percent from the field, 53 percent from the 3-point line, and a season best 94 percent from the foul line, 17-of-18. In their last two games, the Peregrines have shot 89 percent from the charity stripe, 41 of 46.

Purdue University Calumet travels to Indiana University South Bend (2-16, 0-1) on Saturday for a noon (EST) starting time. It's the first game of a double-header with the women's team who play at 2 p.m. (EST). For directions to the game, click on the link on the home page.

• Box Score

Peregrines take advantage of Illinois Institute of Technology charity

CHICAGO (January 14, 2006) – It would have been plausible for Purdue University Calumet to let down against last place Illinois Institute of Technology in Saturday’s tilt after knocking off No. 23 St. Xavier University last Wednesday. But the Peregrines did not falter Saturday and beat IIT, 62-47, to remain perfect in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

The Peregrines (9-9, 2-0 CCAC) cashed in at the charity stripe hitting 24 of 28 (86 percent), including 6-of-8 in the final two minutes of action. In the first half, the Peregrines were perfect at the free throw line hitting 9-of-9.

Junior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) led all scorers with 24 points hitting 60 percent from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers. Wheeler was 10-of-13 from the free throw line, 77 percent, and also grabbed four rebounds and had two steals. Wheeler is the third leading scorer in the CCAC with a 19 ppg average.

Senior captain Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) and freshman forward Charles Cruz (Gavit) each scored 13 points for the Peregrines. Mosley also had five rebounds and two assists and was perfect from the foul line, 5-of-5. Cruz, the third leading rebounder in the CCAC, grabbed seven rebounds, his season average, and also was perfect at the free throw line, 7-of-7.

Sophomore Steve Polak (Clark) added eight points and four rebounds in the win.

The Peregrines closed out the first half on a 7-0 run for a 29-22 lead. IIT (2-16, 0-2) crept to within seven points in the second half, but the Peregrine defense, which accounted for 14 Scarlet Hawk turnovers and four steals, thwarted any potential comeback.

The CCAC first place Peregrines travel to Joliet, Ill., Wednesday to face the University of St. Francis (7-8, 0-2) beginning at 7:30 p.m. For directions to the game, click on the link on the home page.

• Box Score

Peregrines knock off nationally ranked No. 25 St. Xavier in O.T.

REC CENTER (January 11, 2006) – Guard James Washington (Arsenal Tech, Indianapolis) got fouled as he drove through the lane to the hoop with 12 seconds remaining in overtime. The sophomore calmly swished both free throws for what turned out to be the winning points for Purdue University Calumet (8-9, 1-0) beating No. 25 St. Xavier University, 77-73, in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

Washington's free throws gave PUC a 75-73 lead, but time still remained for a St. Xavier attempt. Peregrine defensive pressure forced a turnover on the Cougars' baseline. On the following in-bounds play, senior Thomas Mosley was fouled and iced the game hitting both free throws with three seconds left. 

The Peregrines forced the game into overtime when freshman Charles Cruz (Gavit) took an in-bounds pass under the basket from Mosley and scored a layup with two seconds remaining in regulation and a 64-64 tie. Cruz finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.

The Cougars (12-7, 0-1) led by as much as 13 points midway through the second half.  PUC Head Coach Mike James said the team effort to finish a game without letting up was critical in the Peregrines come-from-behind win.

"These guys don't quit and they play hard, and the effort they gave tonight is the kind of effort I know they can bring to every game," James said. "This is a big win because it's a confidence booster, and you always want to start the conference season with a W."

Mosley (Horace Mann) led all scorers with 24 points, six rebounds, two assists and one shot block. Mosley hit a pair of 3-pointers late in the game, one with 19 seconds remaining to bring the Peregrines to 64-62. Mosley also opened the overtime with a 3-pointer. The Peregrines scored the first five points of overtime before the Cougars fought back to eventually tie the game at 73-73 with 20 seconds left.

Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) scored 13 points, and Steve Polak (Clark) finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists and one shot block in the win.

It’s the second time this season that the Peregrines have knocked off a nationally ranked team. In December, PUC traveled to New Albany and handed Indiana University Southeast its first and presently only loss of the season.

Purdue University Calumet travels to Chicago on Saturday for a 7 p.m. tip-off against the Illinois Institute of Technology in a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup.

• Box Score

Lineup changes ignite Peregrines, beat Purdue North Central, 70-59

REC CENTER (Jan. 7, 2006) – Head Coach Mike James changed the starting rotation to help spark a lethargic offense and end a two-game skid. The changes worked. Purdue University Calumet’s offense was quicker and more efficient than it had been in recent games leading to a 70-59 nonconference win against its sister school Purdue North Central.

On offense, the Peregrines (7-9) hit 62 percent from the field in the second half and finished shooting 51 percent for the game. The Peregrines’ offensive output from the bench improved with the changes and outscored the Panthers, 25-16.

PUC senior captain Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) had his best offensive performance of the season with 19 points, shooting 62 percent from the field, and was perfect (2-for-2) from the 3-point stripe. Mosley led all scorers at the half with eight. He also grabbed four rebounds, five steals and had two assists.

“Tommy really had all parts of his game working and that’s what we need from our leaders,” James said.

Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) normally in the starting rotation responded off the bench with 15 points, including a six-for-six performance at the free throw line, four rebounds and a pair of assists. Charles Cruz (Gavit) finished with 11 points hitting 5-of-9 (55 percent) from the floor, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Kevin Thomas (Highland) had seven points and four rebounds; Marcus Summers (Gavit), who cracked the starting rotation for the first time this season, finished with six points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal; and Lawrence Sandlin (Bishop Noll) added six points and five rebounds.

PNC (4-15) was led by Jeremy McCelos (LaPorte) with 15 points, Andre Jones (Muncie Central) scored 13 and had five rebounds, and Terry Polk (Lew Wallace) finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.

The Peregrines host nationally ranked No. 25 St. Xavier (11-6) Wednesday at 7 p.m. to open Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference action.

• Box Score

Judson College nips Peregrines, 69-66, to open second half of season

REC CENTER (January 5, 2006) – When five players score double-digits for one team, usually it adds up to a victory.  Purdue University Calumet (6-9) had five players combine for 63 points, but it wasn’t enough to get past Judson College in a 69-66 nonconference loss Thursday.

Sophomore Kevin Thomas (Highland) had a career performance scoring 14 points, collecting nine rebounds and three shot blocks for the Peregrines, including a swat in the final two minutes that brought the crowd to its feet and kept the team within three points. Steve Polak (Clark) also had 14 points, including 3-of-6 from the 3-point stripe, five rebounds and four steals for the Peregrines.

The Peregrines dominated the boards collecting 48 rebounds (58 percent of the total) to Judson’s 35. In the final two minutes, the Peregrine defense made three stops that turned into offensive points and closed the gap to 68-66. Judson’s Freddy Bock hit the back end of a double-bonus foul shot for the 69-66 lead with eight seconds remaining. After a PUC timeout and six seconds to play, the Peregrines inbounded the ball successfully, but were unable to get off a clean shot in the waning seconds.

Charles Cruz (Gavit) scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds, Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) had 11 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, and Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) finished with 11 points and six rebounds.

Purdue University Calumet hosts its sister school, Purdue North Central, Saturday Jan. 7, at 1 p.m. The Peregrines beat PNC in December, 86-54.

• Box Score 

Nationally ranked No. 16 I.U. Southeast gets its revenge in rematch

REC CENTER (Dec. 21, 2005) – On the first full day of the winter season, nationally ranked No. 16 Indiana University Southeast served its revenge beating Purdue University Calumet, 66-51. Earlier this month, the Peregrines (6-8) beat IUS (11-1) on its home court for the Grenadiers only loss of the season.

Leading 20-16 late in the first half, IUS went on a 16-6 run and finished with a 36-22 lead to close out the first 20 minutes. The Grenadiers shot 56 percent from the floor in the first half compared to PUC’s 39 percent contributing to the lead.

The Peregrines enjoyed an improved shooting percentage from the field in the second half (44 percent), but could only close the gap to within seven. The Grenadiers held a significant rebounding edge, 40-23, and bench points advantage, 23-8, in the nonconference win.

Steve Polak (Clark) led the Peregrines with 13 points. Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) had 12 points, on 5-of-11 from the floor, and grabbed four rebounds. Freshman Charles Cruz (Gavit) added seven points and nine rebounds in the loss. Senior Thomas Mosley also scored seven.

The Peregrines host Judson College, Thursday, Jan. 5, at 7 p.m. The women’s team also faces Judson College in the front-end of a double-header beginning at 5 p.m.

• Box Score 

Cruz, Wheeler combine for 49 points as Peregrines edge IUN, 90-86

GARY, Ind. (Dec. 19, 2005) – In the final 1:16 of the game, the Peregrines made 10 visits to the charity stripe and connected on eight tries, which helped seal a 90-86 nonconference win against backyard rival Indiana University Northwest.

Charles Cruz (Gavit) recorded his first collegiate double-double scoring 25 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. The freshman forward has been within one rebound or one point of a double-double four times this season. Junior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) hit 53 percent of his shots and scored 24 points while grabbing seven rebounds.

Neither team could pull more than four points apart during the first half and were deadlocked at 45-45 heading into the lockerroom. IUN blistered its net in the first half shooting 67 percent from the field, including six 3-point baskets.

The Peregrines (6-7) extended their lead during a seven-minute stretch in the second half paced by senior captain Thomas Mosley, who scored 11 of his 14 points, and pushed the lead to 76-63. But the Redhawks climbed back into the contest and were within five points with 1:16 to play before they started to commit fouls in order to stop the clock. Steve Polak (Clark) hit four free throws in the final 25 seconds adding to his 16 points for the game.

PUC's defense accounted for 12 steals and forced 17 IUN turnovers that turned into 18 PUC points.

The win pulls the Peregrines one step closer to the .500 mark before hosting a rematch with No. 16-ranked Indiana University Southeast (10-1) Wednesday at 7 p.m. Earlier this month, PUC handed IUS its only loss of the season, 78-71.

• Box Score

Defense-minded Peregrines win third straight, 86-54

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (Dec. 17, 2005) – Purdue North Central scored 11 points in the first five minutes of action prompting a Peregrine timeout and a switch in defensive strategy. And during the next 15 minutes, the defense stiffened and allowed only 12 points, while the offense exploded for 38 points. The Peregrines (5-7) held a commanding 18-point lead at the half and coasted to a 86-54 nonconference win Saturday.

The Panthers (4-9) had an 11-3 lead in the opening minutes of the contest and had no trouble finding open shots. Peregrine Head Coach Mike James called a timeout and made defensive changes, which altered the flow of action in Purdue University Calumet's favor.

"We went to a zone defense because they (PNC) were getting good looks and had too many open passing lanes," James said. "When we changed to the zone we forced more turnovers and improved our rebounding positioning, which helped us push the ball on the offensive end."

PUCs' defense recorded a dozen steals and forced 20 PNC turnovers, which turned into 35 points for the Peregrines. Sophomore Steve Polak (Clark), who leads the team with 32 steals, had the most dramatic swipe of the game that ended in a break-away slam dunk and a 62-27 Peregrine lead. Polak was perfect from the field, 7-of-7, including a pair of 3-point baskets, and finished with 18 points and four steals.

Junior captain Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) forced the offense and led all scorers with 22 points in 28 minutes of play. He also had seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. One of Wheeler's assists turned into an alley-oop dunk by senior captain Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) who flushed the ball for a 79-40 lead with five minutes to play. Mosley finished with 17 points, three assists, a shot block and a steal.

Freshman forward Charles Cruz (Gavit) kept his double-digit scoring average intact scoring 13 points, while collecting six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Cruz is averaging 16.3 ppg, second behind Wheeler's team-leading 21.8 ppg.

The 35 points off turnovers was 40 percent of the Peregrine scoring. The defense held PNC to 34 percent shooting from the field. Offensively, the Peregrines shot 69 percent from the field, 63 percent from the 3-point stripe, and were 73 percent from the charity stripe.

The third consecutive win is a confidence booster for a squad that was 2-7 at the end of November, according to James. "Winning three straight is a plus for us," James said. "We've had good practices in the last two weeks and I think the hard work will convert to strong play in game situations."

• Box Score  

Peregrines knock off No. 25-ranked I.U. Southeast, 78-71

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (Dec. 3, 2005) – A four-and-a-half hour bus ride to face a nationally ranked and unbeaten team on its home court in front of a raucous student body isn't the ideal way to spend a Saturday. But for the Peregrines (4-7) it was the ideal situation needed to ignite their offense and win back-to-back for the first time this season.

The offense sizzled in the second half hitting 61 percent from the field led by junior Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) who was the game-high scorer with 30 points. Wheeler was 13-of-22 (59 percent) from the field, and also finished as the game's leading rebounder with 12, five on the offensive end.

Senior Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) scored 14 points, for PUC, and grabbed eight rebounds in the win. Charles Cruz (Gavit) shot 46 percent from the field and finished with 11 points, while grabbing seven rebounds. Steve Polak (Clark) hit 67 percent of his shots and finished with 10 points.

The Peregrines held a 32-27 halftime lead against the previously unbeaten Grenadiers (6-1) who were averaging nearly 80 points a game. A 45-29 advantage in the rebounding department helped the Peregrines limit IUS scoring opportunities.

Purdue University Calumet will travel to Michigan City on Saturday, Dec. 17, to face sister school Purdue North Central at 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, and then the Peregrines visit I.U. Northwest in Gary for a 7 p.m. start. The next Peregrine home game is Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m., to host I.U. Southeast in a rematch.

• Box Score

Wheeler scores 26, leads PUC to second home win

REC CENTER (Nov. 30, 2005) – Dorothy said it best in The Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home.” For only the second time in a month, Purdue University Calumet (3-7) played host on the hardwood and had the results it was looking for, a 64-62 win, beating the University of Michigan-Dearborn (2-6) Wednesday.

The comforts of home helped the Peregrines shoot 50 percent from the field in the first half, led by junior Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) who had 11 points on 5-of-9 from the floor, and gave PUC a 34-30 led at the half. Wheeler led all scorers finishing with 26 points, including three 3-pointers, and nine rebounds.

PUC led by 14 points with less than seven minutes of action to play, when the Wolves heated up from three-point range. During a three-minute stretch, UMD hit five 3-point baskets, led by L.T. Willis (17 points) who hit two of his four 3-pointers and Chris Shepard with a pair of 3-pointers. A third Michigan-Dearborn player, Andrew Kwietniewski, also nailed a 3-pointer

But the Peregrine offense answered with Wheeler hitting two 3-pointers and Kevin Thomas (Highland) dropped in a lay-up to help maintain a six-point lead. The defense also tightened with a pair of blocked shots from Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) and Steve Polak (Clark).

Wheeler closed the Peregrine scoring from the charity stripe. Charles Cruz (Gavit) scored in double digits for the sixth consecutive game and finished with 16 points and nine rebounds.

Mosley (six rebounds, three blocks, three steals) and Polak combined for sixteen, each with eight.  The PUC non-conference win stopped a five-game skid.

PUC plays Saturday at I.U. Southeast, New Albany, Ind., at 2 p.m.

• Box Score

Peregrines lose a pair in Wisconsin tournament

KENOSHA, Wis. (Nov. 25 & 26, 2005) – As the holiday shopping season officially opened this weekend, Purdue University Calumet searched for a bargain victory during a two-day tournament in Wisconsin. But the Peregrines were out-manned and outsized against two NCAA Division II schools, losing 98-78 to the University of Illinois-Springfield on Saturday, and 92-72 to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside on Friday.

On Saturday, the Peregrine offense was sluggish in the first half hitting 37 percent from the field, while UIS shot 56 percent from the field, including six 3-point baskets leading to a 48-29 lead at the half. The Peregrines (2-7) were more efficient from the field in the second 20 minutes improving to 53 percent led by junior Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) who was 12-of-24 and finished as the game's leading scorer with 29 points and six rebounds.

Freshman Charles Cruz (Gavit), who continues to impress on both ends of the floor, scored 22, grabbed nine rebounds and had three steals. Freshman Josh Percifield (Layton Academy, Utah) added seven points and sophomore Lawrence Sandlin (Bishop Noll) had six points and seven rebounds. UIS had five players finish with double digits.

Friday night, the Peregrines kept the game tight in the first half hitting 53 percent of their shots from the field, and only trailed UWP 51-41 at the half. But a 20-4 run for UWP (4-0) five minutes into the second half led to the Ranger win.

The Peregrines' zone defense gave the Rangers fits throughout the game, especially in the first half, which contributed to the 10-point deficit. “They’re (Peregrines) better than they look on paper,” UWP Head Coach Luke Reigel said. But PUC didn’t have enough weapons underneath and were out-rebounded, 49-22, contributing to the loss.

Cruz led the Peregrines with 21 points. Sandlin had 18 points, Wheeler had 16, and sophomore Marcus Summers (Gavit) added six points and eight rebounds. The Rangers had five players in double figures, including Kyle Clark who led all scorers with 25 points.

• Box Score (Illinois-Springfield)

• Box Score (Wisconsin-Parkside)

Peregrines drop season home opener, 75-71

REC CENTER (Nov. 15, 2005) – It was like running uphill, both ways, the kind of hill that your parents always told you they struggled up on their way to school when they were young. Purdue University Calumet (2-3) trailed early in the opening half and could never catch Trinity Christian College losing, 75-71, in PUC’s home opener of the 2005-06 season.

The Trolls (2-3) singed the nets at both ends of the court shooting 55 percent from the 3-point stripe for 33 points, including a first half of eight-of-eleven (73 percent) from the stripe.

With 36 seconds left to play, the Peregrines’ Charles Cruz (Gavit) hit a 15-foot jumper to pull the team to 72-71. The Trolls’ Ty DeWitte was fouled on a shot attempt on their next possession and made both free throws for a 74-71 lead.

On PUC’s next possession, and 17 seconds remaining, Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) got triple-teamed will moving through the lane and lost the ball. TCC’s Nick Rykse was immediately fouled and hit the first of two free throws to extend the lead to 75-71.

Cruz, who finished with 11 points and eight rebounds, grabbed the rebound off the missed second free throw, dribbled to half-court and heaved a shot that missed as time expired. Mosley led all scorers with 18 points and had four rebounds. Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) had 16 points and six rebounds, and Steve Polak (Clark) added 10 points and five rebounds. Kevin Thomas (Highland) and Lawrence Sandlin (Bishop Noll) each scored seven points in the loss. 

• Box Score      

Polak, Wheeler combine for 51 points in Peregrine win

DEERFIELD, Ill. (Nov. 12, 2005) – Sophomore forward Steve Polak (Clark) sizzled from the 3-point stripe hitting 7-of-11 (64 percent) in the second day of the Woodfield Suites Classic hosted at Trinity International University, Saturday. Junior Minuyard Wheeler (Wirt) also had a hot hand hitting 11-of-17 (65 percent) from the field as the Peregrines (2-2) beat Cardinal Stritch, 78-67.

Polak finished with 26 points, the game's leading scorer, and Wheeler scored 25 and collected eight rebounds.

Senior Thomas Mosley (Horace Mann) scored double digits for the third consecutive game and finished with 11 points. Sophomore Charles Cruz (Gavit), the team's leading rebounder, finished with nine points and 11 rebounds, while center Kevin Thomas (Highland) chipped in six points and five rebounds.

The score was knotted, 25-25, at the half. But as the second half unfolded, the Peregrines warmed up to their end of the floor shooting 61 percent from the field and hit 54 percent of its shots from the 3-point line.

On Friday, the first day of the tournament, TIU (3-1) beat the Peregrines, 86-75.

• Box Score (Cardinal Stritch)

• Box Score (Trinity International)

Mosley, Wheeler to lead young Peregrines

HAMMOND (Oct. 31, 2005) – Do you remember that feeling you had when you were a child waking up Christmas morning? In some packages you knew what to expect, but there were always one or two that would be a total surprise.

This year’s flock of Peregrines includes players who have loftier expectations than a year ago and players whose season might turn into a total surprise. Eleven of the 13 players are underclassmen.

“We’ll be real solid if the young players can keep growing and a couple of guys step up to give us depth that we need,” Head Coach Mike James said. “I’ve seen that type of commitment of stepping up in spurts during the practices, so I know that it’s there.

Senior Thomas Mosley and junior Minuyard Wheeler were two of the team’s leading scorers last season, and will be expected to be the leaders in both the tangible and intangible columns.

“Mosley’s such an excellent athlete that it’s hard to tell how much of an impact he can make,” James said.

Mosley averaged 10.3 points per game as a junior, and Wheeler led the Peregrines with nearly 14 points per game. Mosley’s ability to elevate above his opponent makes him difficult to guard. And Wheeler’s slippery moves help him create a variety of inside and outside shots.

“If Minuyard is consistent with his effort in each game he has the ability to be one of the best players in our conference,” James said

Sophomores Steve Polak and Lawrence Sandlin started to emerge offensively during the conference portion of the schedule.

Polak should be another offensive weapon in the 10-18 foot range. “We’re looking for more assertiveness from him, because he can be a double-figure scorer every night,” James said.

Sandlin impressed the coaching staff with his strong play at the end of last season, enough to consider a new role. “It’s possible he could be starting for us, but if not he’ll be the first off the bench,” James said.

Losing the school’s all-time leading rebounder, Marquice Woods, will have an impact on both ends of the floor. But freshman Edwin Alcox, 6-5, and sophomore Charles Cruz, 6-4, have the reach of players three and four inches taller than they are while fighting for rebounds. Add returning sophomore Kevin Thomas, 6-8, to the mix and the Peregrines shouldn’t be short-changed in the rebounding department.

“Kevin’s the big X factor,” James said. “He’s improved a ton from last year, but he’s still raw. Cruz and Edwin are going to help us on our inside scoring and defending the ball.”

Also returning are sophomores Marcus Summers, 5-10 guard, and Jason Corns, 6-4 forward. Both will play significant roles off the bench, James said.

Freshman Rob Lyles, 6-0 guard, an extremely quick athlete, rounds out the Peregrine roster.

Although a majority of the players have one year or less of college-level basketball experience, James is optimistic.

“We have a new system in place this season, and one of our goals is to get better in each game and run the system well until the end of the year. I think we can do that.”

Peregrines add youth with 2005-06 recruiting class

HAMMOND (September 6, 2005) – Three recruits were added to Purdue University Calumet men’s 2005-06 basketball roster giving the Peregrines much needed depth.

Freshman Charles Cruz, a 6-4 forward, averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds per game in his senior season at Gavit. Cruz was named as an all-area player during the 2003-04 season helping Gavit to its 2004 sectional title.

A second freshman, Edwin Alcox, a 6-4 forward, was a red-shirt last season for the Peregrines. Alcox played high school basketball at Mt. Carmel in Chicago. Head Coach Mike James said, Alcox is an athlete who can score inside and step out to hit 17-foot jumpers.

The third recruit is a former Class 1A All-State guard out of Utah. Sophomore Josh Percifield is a 6-0 guard who can play either the point or the No. 2 position, according to James.

This will be James’ first full season as the Peregrines head coach. Last year he took over 14 games into the season after the resignation of former coach Gary Hayes.

The Peregrines lost one player to graduation; all-conference center, Marquice Woods. “We lost a pretty important player in Marquice, but I’m pleased with what we brought in,” James said.