MARION, Ind. — For the first 20 minutes of action, the Peregrines hung tight with the previously National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics 5th-ranked Wildcats and trailed by a mere four points heading into the locker room.  But in the second half, the 3-point shelling began early and continued as the Wildcats pulled away for a 76-50 nonconference win Wednesday.

Purdue University Calumet (1-10) shot 68 percent from the field in the first half, including three from 3-point land, but were short on the scoreboard, 30-26. In the second half, the Peregrine offense fell off hitting only 42 percent and 22 percent from the 3-point stripe, and that’s where the trouble started.

While the Peregrines struggled for points in the second half, the Wildcats warmed to their home rims hitting 72 percent from the field and 64 percent from the 3-point line. Freshman guard Jordan Bragg, who led all scorers with 20, hit 6-of-8 from deep and junior Antonio Murrell was perfect on his three attempts.

Peregrine juniors Kevin Thomas (Highland) and Charles Cruz (Gavit) led the team with 15 points each. Thomas, the team’s leading scorer with 14.8, also led the team in rebounding with seven. Cruz also scored 15 in his season opener against Taylor University on Tuesday.

Freshman forward Justin Latimore (Indianapolis North Central), who leads the team in bench scoring with 8.9 per game, finished with eight points and three rebounds.

The Peregrines held the edge in the rebounding department with 24 compared to 19. IWU led in all other statistical categories.

After a week’s rest, the Peregrines travel to Alma, Mich., for a two-day tournament Friday and Saturday, Dec. 28 & 29. The Peregrines face Davenport University at 8 p.m. The opponent and game time for Saturday will be determined from Friday’s results.