Chicago, Ill. - The Illinois Tech men's basketball team battled #5 seed Marian University to a draw in the first half of their NACC quarterfinal matchup, but a 21-point outburst by the Sabres Tyler Gouin in the second half proved to much for the Scarlet Hawks to overcome, as they fell to Marian 85-71 Wednesday night at the Keating Center. Marian improved to 17-8 on the season, and will face #1 seed Concordia University Chicago Friday night in River Forest in the NACC semi-finals. The Scarlet Hawks finished the season at 12-12, snapping a five-game winning streak, while finishing the season strong, winning seven out of their last nine games.
The Hawks held a six-point lead with 3:49 remaining in the first half, but the Sabres outscored the Hawks 8-2 to close out the first half, culminated by a three-pointer by Delvin Barnstable with one second remaining in the first.
The teams traded baskets in the early going of the second half before Marian jumped out to a six-point lead just under five minutes into half. The Hawks closed within three points at the 15:01 mark on a three-pointer by Milos Dugalic, but that was as close as the Hawks would get the rest of the game, as the Sabres went on a 12-0 run over the next five minutes to take command of the game.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
- Dugalic finished with 22 points, six rebounds, four steals, two assists and one block.
- Ahmad Muhammad finished out his Scarlet Hawks career with a 12-point effort, along with seven rebounds and two assists.
- Otis Reale had 12 points to go along with three rebounds, three assists and one steal.
- Kyle Hornacek finished with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks in his final game as a Scarlet Hawk.
Sabres Watch
- Gouin finished with 29 points, four assists and three rebounds.
- David Britton finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
- Barnstable added 16 points for Marian.
Inside the Box Score
- The Hawks shot 35% from three-point range on 9-26 shooting. The Sabres finished at 53% from three (8-15).
- Illinois Tech committed 12 fouls in the contest to Marian's 15.
- Illinois Tech was 12-14 from the free throw line for 86%. Marian was 13-16 (81%).
- Dugalic was the minutes leader for the Hawks with 38 minutes. Barnstable and Britton each played 39 minutes for Marian.