CHICAGO—The Illinois Institute of Technology men's basketball team opened 2020 with a Saturday-afternoon affair against Concordia University (Wis.) at the Keating Sports Center. The Scarlet Hawks registered their third-straight victory with an 83-74 (2OT) decision over the Falcons behind a career-high 31 points from Ahmad Muhammad. 

The Scarlet Hawks improve to 4-7, 2-4 NACC while Concordia (Wis.) falls to 5-5, 4-2 NACC. 

IIT led throughout the final 16:01 of the opening half en route to a 35-24 advantage at intermission, but the Falcons opened the second half with a 9-0 run that cut their deficit to 35-33 with 18:55 on the clock. It didn't result in a lead off the bat for CUW as they trailed IIT until the 7:42 mark of the second when Olalekan George gave his team a one-point 53-52 edge. Max Hisatake, who finished the game with his eighth double double of the season with 12 points and 15 rebounds along with three blocks, spoiled the Falcons' late-game run on a layup with 0:52 remaining in the second to knot the contest at 61-61.

Each team traded five points in the first overtime session, thanks to a Max Hisatake layup and a Miles Curry three-pointer with 0:11 left. The second overtime was all Scarlet Hawks as they more than doubled the Falcons with a 17-8 edge en route to an 83-74 victory. 

Muhammad, who also converted all nine of his free throw attempts, added a career-high eight rebounds and dished four assists. Miles Curry registered his third double double of 2019-20 with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Hisatake now owns 944 rebounds over his four-year career. Calvin Schmitz led the Scarlet Hawks with five assists.

Jared Jurss paced the Falcons with 22 points.

The Scarlet Hawks will continue their three-game home stand on Tuesday, January 7 against Wisconsin Lutheran College at 7:00 p.m.