By Jami Sponaugle

Milwaukee, WI - Snapping a four game losing streak, the Scarlet Hawks men's basketball team found themselves back in the win column after picking up a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) road victory. The Hawks (3-6, 1-2) traveled north to take on the Milwaukee School of Engineering Raiders (2-3, 0-1). In a team effort, the Hawk were able to come home with a 76-55 victory on Sunday over the Raiders. 

First Half (Illinois Tech 43 - MSOE 21)

• The Raiders only lead of the contest came at the opening basket when Matus Dopirak made a layup at 19:42. 13 seconds later, the Hawks made their way down the court to where Garrison Carter drained a three to get the Hawks on the board, as well as give the Hawks the lead that they ran with for the entirety of the game. As the Hawks began to build their lead, the Raiders fought to stay within reach early on in the contest. With just over 10 minutes remaining until halftime, the Hawks began to pull away with the lead. After two made by Otis Reale at 10:42 and a 3-pointer by Caden Gigstad at 10:02, the Hawks led the Raiders 23-14. Through the remainder of the half, the Hawks outshot the Raiders 20-7 to head into halftime with a 43-21 lead. 

Second Half (Illinois Tech 33 - MSOE 34)

• The Hawks picked up right where they left off coming out of the locker room, gaining 7 points to the Raiders 4 to make it a 50-25 game with 17:33 remaining. Although the Raiders seemed to be picking up points, the Hawks continued to play their game and hold onto their lead. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Hawks led 59-35. Through the final minutes, the Hawks comfortably held onto their lead. The final basket of the contest came from the hands of the Hawks Owen Walsh who nailed two free throws to seal a 76-55 victory over the Raiders. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Milos Dugalic finished the game with a double-double, leading the Hawks with 17 points, 15 rebounds. Dugalic also led in assists, providing 4. He finished with 1 steal and 2 blocks. 

• Reale finished with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal.

• Zack Davis came off the bench and recorded 16 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 block.

• Gigstad ended with 10 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal. 

Raider Standouts

• Mason Dopirak led with 16 points, 4 steals for the Raiders. Dopirak provided 4 rebounds and 1 block as well. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Hawks went 26-of-50 (52.0%) from the field, 9-of-22 (40.9%) from three, and 15-of-18 (83.3%) in free throws. The Raiders went 22-of-63 (34.9%), 2-of-21 (9.5%), and 9-of-11 (81.8%) in free throws respectively.

• The Hawks outrebounded the Falcons 35-31.

• 28 of the Hawks points came in the paint while 26 of the Raiders points came in the paint. 

• 23 points came off the bench for the Hawks.

• The largest lead of the game came in the second half at 16:29 when the Hawks led by 27. 

Up Next

The Hawks return to the Keating Sports Center on Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. NACC tip-off against the Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons.