Chicago, Ill. - Despite facing a Dominican University team that would not go away quietly, the Illinois Tech men's basketball team took the lead for good midway through the first half, and held off a pesky Stars team the rest of the way in the Scarlet Hawks 70-58 victory in the NACC Tournament opener. The number four seed Scarlet Hawks improved to 12-11 overall, and will host number five seed Marian University Tuesday night at the Keating Sports Center. Dominican finished the season 2-22 overall.

The Hawks used a 14-2 run in the middle of the first half to take control of the game, erasing a 17-16 deficit to take a 30-19 lead, en route to a halftime lead of 38-28.

Dominican responded in the second half with tighter play, eventually pulling to within five points on multiple occassions midway through the second half. The Scarlet Hawks would not allow the Stars to get any closer, using an 8-4 run late in the second half to keep distance from the Stars and to seal the victory.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Milos Dugalic finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds and four steals to lead all players.
• Calvin Schmitz added 17 points, including going 4-5 from three-point range. He also pulled down six rebounds.
• Ahmad Muhammad continue to provide a spark off the bench, adding 15 points while shooting 7-11 from the field.
• Caden Gigstad added 10 points.

Stars Watch

• Robert Taylor led the Stars with 16 points.
• Jacob Riedl added 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Inside the Box Score

• The Hawks shot 26% from three-point range on 5-19 shooting. The Stars finished at 29% from three (5-18). 
• Each team committed 13 fouls in the contest.
• Illinois Tech was a perfect 9-9 from the free-throw line. Dominican was 3-8 (38%).
• Dugalic was the minutes leader for the Hawks with 39 minutes. Chris Daniels II played 33 minutes for the Stars.

Up Next

• The Scarlet Hawks advance to the NACC men's basketball quarterfinals when they host Marian University Tuesday, February 22nd at 7pm in the Keating Sports Center.