By Jami Sponaugle

Lisle, Ill. - In the second to last 2022-2023 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) regular season game, the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks men's basketball team traveled to take on the Benedictine University Eagles. A close contest from tip-off resulted in 13 ties and 14 lead changes between the two sides. The game concluded in overtime action with the Hawks (9-7, 11-13) securing a 64-62 victory over the Eagles (8-7, 10-13)

The victory clinched a NACC tournament berth for the Hawks. 

First Half (Illinois Tech 30 - Benedictine 29)

• From the get go, the two sides were back and forth with multiple ties and lead changes. With 10 minutes left in the first half, the Hawks led the Eagles 15-13. At the 8:23 mark, the Eagles made a layup, taking the lead. The Eagles lead only lasted for 19 seconds before Derrick Faulkner made a jumpshot to put the Hawks up 17-16. The last time of the first quarter then came at 6:03 remaining after a Eagle free throw made it 19-19. After being tied, the Hawks then took the lead for the remainder of the half. At halftime, the Hawks held a 1-point, 30-29 lead over the host. 

Second Half (Illinois Tech 26 - Benedictine 27)

• Coming out of the locker rooms to begin the second half, the Eagles took the lead after a layup. Otis Reale quickly answered to put the Hawks back on top. Just like the first half, multiple ties and lead changes would be the story of the second half. With 9:50 remaining in regulation, Milos Dugalic made a layup to put the Hawks up 47-44. After the Eagles took a brief lead, the two sides would be tied at 49-49 with 7:59 left on the clock after a Dugalic jump shot. Between 7:24 and 3:11, only 4 points would get recorded, all going in favor of the Hawks as Dugalic picked up a layup and made two free throws as the Hawks led 53-49. Two layups in favor of the Eagles would tie the game at 53-53 before Caden Gigstad nailed a 3-pointer to put the Hawks back on top. During the final minute of regulation, the Eagles recorded a free throw and a layup before the buzzer. At the end of regulation the game was tied 56-56. 

Overtime (Illinois Tech 8 - Benedictine 6)

• Back to back baskets by Dugalic and Garrison Carter put the Hawks up 60-56 to begin overtime. With 3:07 left on the clock, the Eagles made a free throw to come within three. Reale would go on to make a layup before the Eagle responded with a jump shot and a free throw to make it a 2-point game in favor of the Hawks. With 1:54 remaining, Desmond Price recorded a jump shot, giving the Hawks a 64-60 lead. The Eagles would go on to make one more basket, before the final buzzer rang, signaling the Hawks 64-62 victory. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Dugalic led with a double-double of 22 points, 15 rebounds. Dugalic also picked up 1 assist and 2 steals. 

• Reale followed with 20 points. Reale finished the game with 3 rebounds and 1 assist. 

Eagle Standouts

• Trevor Montiel led the Eagles with 21 points.

• Andrew Stokes had 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

• Marvin Agwomoh picked up 10 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Hawks finished 24-of-59 (40.7%) from the field, 5-of-21 (23.8) from the 3-point line, and made 11-of-13 (84.6%) of their free throw attempts. The Eagles finished 23-of-65 (35.4%), 4-of-23 (17.4%), and 12-of-20 (60.0%) respectively.

• The Eagles outrebounded the Hawks 44-40.

• There were a total of 13 ties and 14 lead changes.

• Both sides picked up 7 steals. 

Up Next

Saturday marks the conclusion of the Hawks 2022-2023 regular season. The Hawks will host the Rockford University Regents for a 2:00p.m. NACC tip-off. Before the contest, the Hawks will be honoring their four seniors for senior day.