Chicago, Ill. - The Illinois Tech Mens Basketball team tipped off the 2019-20 season at the Keating Sports Center on Saturday night hosting Trine University. The Hawks (0-1) were unable to hold onto a late lead as the Thunder (1-0) took the win in Non-Conference action.

How it Happened

• The Hawks came out to an early lead of 20-11 in the first 9 minutes of the game finished off by a Max Hisatake lay up. 
• After some back and forth action, the Thunder were finally able to take their first lead of the game at 34-33 with 4 minutes remaining in the first half.
• After another Thunder basket, Milos Dugalic responded quickly after with a 3 to tie the game at 36 with 2:48 remaining 
• A Hisatake lay up followed by a Miles Curry jumper pushed the Tech point total to 40 which is where they would finish he half with a 40-38 lead
• The second half started with the Thunder scoring on their first 3 possession to take the lead early.
• Over the next 12 minutes, the teams went back and forth with no team taking more than a 4 point lead
• With 5:51 remaining and the Hawks trailing 64-65, Max Hisatake took over registering the next 8 points for the scarlet hawks over a 3:03 span.
• A Hisatake dunk to go up 71-68 with 2:48 left was the last points the Hawks would see as the Thunder closed the game on a 7-0 run to take the 75-71 victory

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Senior big man Max Hisatake was the top scorer, rebounder and blocker on the court Saturday night with 26 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks.
• Sophomore Milos Dugalic copped in with 19 points and 10 rebounds of his own.
• Miles Curry started his Junior campaign with a team leading 4 assists and 2 steals

Inside The Boxscore

• The Hawks held the advantage in shooting percentage at 53.4% and a big advantage in rebounds with 39
• Tech turned the ball over 18 times leading to 23 points for the Thunder.
• Big men dominated the paint for the Hawks as the totaled 48 points inside on the evening

Up Next

• The Scarlet Hawks head to Ferris State Wednesday, November 13th to take on the Division II foe in exhibition action.