by Eric Willuweit

Lisle, Ill. - The Illinois Tech men's basketball team had a good start to their first-round game at Benedictine in the NACC Men's Basketball tournament, holding a five-point lead with just over six minutes played in the first half. Unfortunately for the Scarlet Hawks, it would prove to be their largest lead of the game, and one of the few times they led in the game the rest of the way, as the Eagles advanced in the tournament with a 78-72 victory Wednesday night at the Rice Center. The Scarlet Hawks finish their season 11-15 overall.

The game also represented the final time in uniform for the team's four graduating seniors: Milos Dugalic, Otis Reale, Jay Lomax and Derrick Faulkner.

"I'm extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of each one of our guys" said Head Coach TJ Gray. "We fought through a lot of adversity throughout the year and I felt we left everything we could on the floor" Gray continued. "Each of our seniors showed great leadership throughout the season and I sincerely love and respect each of them" said Gray.

First Half (Benedictine 37 - Illinois Tech 29)

After the Scarlet Hawks jumped out to their 16-11 lead at the 13:44 mark of the first half, the Eagles used a 6-0 run to take a 17-16 lead. The Scarlet Hawks and Eagles would trade the next four baskets before Benedictine was able to take advantage of Illinois Tech foul trouble and convert free throws  to take the lead for good 24-23 with 6:49 remaining. The Eagles closed out the half with a 14-6 run to enter halftime with an eight-point advantage.

Second Half (Illinois Tech 43 - Benedictine 41) 

Illinois Tech used a 9-2 run to start the second half to pull within one point at 39-38 at the 16:27 mark. A 19-4 run by the Eagles changed the complexion of the game, giving them a 58-42 lead with 7:37 remaining in the game. After the Eagles pushed their lead to 18 points with just over six minutes remaining, the Scarlet Hawks attempted a comeback, using a 16-5 run to pull within 7 points at 69-62 with just over one minute remaining. However, the teams traded points in the closing minute, with the Hawks forced to send the Eagles to the free throw line, allowing Benedictine to close out the game.

Scarlet Hawks Standouts

• Dugalic paced the Scarlet Hawks with 19 points, 13 rebounds with 2 blocks, while adding 3 assists.
• Garrison Carter added 15 points before fouling out.
• Reale had 11 points with and paced the team with 6 assists.
• Desmond Price added 10 points.

Eagles Watch

• First-year Andrew Stokes led the Eagles with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
• Trevor Montiel added 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.
• Marvin Agwomoh added 17 points and 6 rebounds.

Inside The Box Score

• Benedictine had a big advantage in the paint, outscoring the Scarlet Hawks 34-18.
• Second chance points were also in favor of the Eagles, 26-12.
• Dugalic was the Hawks minutes leader with 36; Montiel paced the Eagles with 37 minutes played.