Chicago, Ill. - Down by ten points with 4:34 remaining in the game, the Illinois Tech men's basketball team came all the way back, and an Otis Reale three-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining (watch here) sealed the victory over the stunned Benedictine University Eagles 69-68 Wednesday night at the Keating Sports Center. The Scarlet Hawks improved to 11-11 overall and 10-6 in conference play. The Eagles dropped to 11-12 overall (10-7 NACC).

With the victory, the Scarlet Hawks clinched the fourth seed in the NACC post-season tournament. The Hawks will host Dominican University(#13 seed) Saturday night at 7pm at the Keating Sports Center.

The game featured a series of momentum swings. The Hawks used a 9-0 run in the middle of the first half to claim a ten-point lead. The Eagles countered with a 10-0 run late in the second half to jump out to their ten-point lead with four and half minutes remaining.

The Scarlet Hawks comeback began with a Reale layup at 4:04 to cut their deficit to 65-57. A steal by Milos Dugalic on the subsequent possession led to an Ahmad Muhammad three-pointer at 3:13 to bring the Hawks within five points. Caden Gigstad followed that sequence up with a steal and layup basket of his own to bring the Hawks within three at 65-62 with 2:37 remaining. The Eagles Trevor Montiel responded with a three-pointer at 2:10 to put the Eagles back up by six at 68-62. Muhammad connected on another three-pointer with 1:56 remaining to draw the Hawks within three points. A missed three-pointer by the Eagles Jeff Kratz resulted in Kratz fouling Milos Dugalic for the rebound, creating a one and the bonus opportunity for the Hawks forward with 1:20 remaining. Dugalic connected on his first attempt, but missed the bonus attempt. The teams traded empty possesions over the next few possessions before the Hawks were forced to foul the Eagles with 11 seconds remaining. 

The Eagles Michael Johnson missed the free throw attempt, and Kyle Hornacek grabbed the rebound for the Hawks. Illinois Tech called a timeout with six seconds remaining, setting the stage for the Reale dramatics for the game-winner.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• In addition to hitting the game-winning shot, Reale finished with 15 points and two steals.
• Muhammad poured in 15 points off the bench, including hitting two of four from three-point range. He also grabbed three rebounds.
• Hornacek added 10 points and seven rebounds.
• Gigstad added 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.

Eagles Watch

• Montiel had 22 points, including going 3-3 from three-point range. He also added five rebounds.
• Marvin Agwomoh had 15 points, six rebounds and two steals.

Inside the Box Score

• The Hawks shot 44% from three-point range on 8-18 shooting. The Eagles finished at 50% from three (8-16). 
• The Hawks committed 14 fouls in the contest; the Eagles committed 13 fouls.
• Illinois Tech was 7-12 from the free-throw line (58%). Benedictine was 8-13 (62%).
• Reale was the minutes leader for the Hawks with 34 minutes. Nick Kosich played 39 minutes for the Eagles.

Up Next

• The Scarlet Hawks open NACC post-season tournament play by hosting Dominican University Saturday, Febuary 19th at 7pm at Keating Sports Center.