CHICAGO—The Illinois Institute of Technology men's basketball team hosted Rockford University in a Saturday-afternoon bout at the Keating Sports Center. The Scarlet Hawks dug themselves out of a 19-5 hole with 10:25 left in the first and led in the second half, but couldn't hold on in a 73-68 loss to the Regents.

IIT falls to 6-11, 4-8 NACC while Rockford improves to 9-8, 7-5 NACC.

"Today was very frustrating," said IIT head men's basketball coach Todd Kelly. "Very upset that we couldn't come away with a home win. I thought defensively we were very bad, our big guys were specifically not good. They definitely have to play better for us to win games. We missed free throws and assignments and those are things you can't do if you want to win a close basketball game."

Max Hisatake, who finished with 11 points and eight boards, pulled down his 1,000th career rebound in the contest. Hisatake was among four IIT players to reach double figures, led by Milos Dugalic's game-high 20 points. Ahmad Muhammad and Miles Curry each notched 12 points for the Scarlet Hawks. Hisatake and Curry each tallied four assists. Brandon Emerick notched a team-leading 18 points for a Rockford team that shot .500 (26-52) from the field and 9-21 (.429) from three-point land. 

The Scarlet Hawks, who out rebounded Rockford 31-28, dug themselves out of a 19-5 hole at the 10:25 mark of the first half before they led on three occasions in the latter part of the second half. Ahmad Muhammad gave IIT their most comfortable lead at 66-60 off a three-pointer with 3:26 left before Rockford closed the contest with a 13-2 run en route to a 73-68 win.

IIT will return to action on Wednesday, January 29 at Benedictine University for a 7:00 p.m. start.