By Jami Sponaugle

Chicago, Ill. - An exciting start to both halves led the Hawks to a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) victory on Saturday. The Hawks (5-7, 3-2) welcomed the Edgewood College Eagles (1-8, 1-3) to the Keating Sports Center for the afternoon contest. With the Hawks coming out hot in both halves, the Eagles fought to make it a close game. The early leads helped push the Hawks to victory as they defeated the Eagles 76-71 at the final buzzer to improve their overall and NACC record.

First Half (Illinois Tech 32 - Edgewood 31)

• The Hawks came out energized from the tip-off with Caden Gigstad nailing a three to get the game started. Quickly taking offensive control, the Hawks dominated the game to take an early lead over the Eagles. A Garrison Carter 3-pointer put the Hawks up 14-4 with 16:12 remaining on the clock, forcing the Eagles to take a timeout. The Hawks continued to extend their lead from 15:37 to 10:07 with a 15-3 run to take a 29-7 lead at the 10 minute mark, the largest lead of the game. Then, for the remainder of the half, the Eagles found control. Between 9:58 and the end of the half, the Eagles held the Hawks to just three points. The Eagles 24-3 run made it a 32-31 game in favor of the Hawks at halftime. Carter led the Hawks at the half with 10 points while Danny Mulcare led Eagles with 14 points, all of which came during the final 10 minutes of the half. 

 Second Half (Illinois Tech 44 - Edgewood 40)

• Coming out strong once again, the Hawks quickly went on a 13-2 run between 19:14 and 16:31 to begin the second half. The Hawks continued to find the basket, going on another run between 14:51 and 12:09 to pick up 11 points compared to the Eagles 3. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Hawks led the Eagles 58-41. The Hawks tied their second largest lead of the contest with 8:41 remaining when Gigstad made a three to give the Hawks a 20-point, 65-45 lead. Action began to go in favor of the Eagles as they made it a 10-point, 65-55 game at 6:23 on the clock after a Drew Houtakker layup. Although the Eagles attempted to close in on the lead, the Hawks were able to stay ahead to pick up their third NACC win of the season, defeating the Eagles 76-71 at the final buzzer. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Otis Reale led the Hawks with 25 points. Reale also picked up 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. 

• Carter contributed 20 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal. 

• Milos Dugalic continued his double double streak, picking up his 10th of the season, which leads the NCAA DIII, with 15 points, 16 rebounds. Dugalic also tallied 2 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block. 

• Gigstad knocked down 12 points while leading the team with 5 assists. Gigstad tallied 1 steal. 

Eagle Standouts

• Mulcare led the Eagles, coming off the bench to pick up 18 points. Mulcare finished with 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block. 

• Jake Schroeckenthaler netted 16 points and led the Eagles with 7 rebounds. Schroeckenthaler also picked up 1 assist.

• Trey Traeder finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. 

• Cade Ellington put down 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Hawks finished 25-of-55 (45.5%) from the field, 7-of-19 (36.8%) behind the arc, and 19-of-29 (65.5%) of their free throws. The Eagles went 24-of-51 (47.1%), 9-of-22 (40.9%), and 14-of-21 (66.7%) respectively.

• The Hawks outrebounded the Eagles 37-31. 

• The Hawks forced the Eagles into 16 turnovers and picked up 20 points. The Eagles forced the Hawks into 13 turnovers and picked up 9 points. 

• Both sides finished with 28 points in the paint. 

• 32 of the Eagles' points came off the bench.

 Up Next

The Hawks will be back in action tomorrow when they hit the road to take on Division I Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Tip-off between the Hawks and Cougars is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.