Aurora, Ill. - The Illinois Tech women's basketball team shooting woes continued in Aurora Tuesday night, but it was turnovers that played an even bigger factor as the as the Scarlet Hawks dropped their NACC conference opener to the host Spartans, 98-34. The Hawks dropped to 2-4 overall(0-1 NACC). Aurora improved their record to 2-1(1-0 NACC).

The Hawks finished with 32 turnovers on the night, contributing to 35 points for the Spartans. The turnover disparity allowed Aurora to have almost twice as many field goal attempts as the Hawks, 76 to 41. Coupled with the Spartans shooting 50% from the field, and the Hawks shooting 22%, it made for a tough night for the visitors.

How It Happened:

First Quarter

• The Spartans opened with a 12-0 run before a Julia Bucci jumper got the Hawks on the board at the 5:51 mark.
• The Spartans would score 12 of the next 16 points the rest of the way to close out the quarter leading 24-6.
• Bucci paced the Hawks with three points. Crystal Rios had eight points for Aurora.

Second Quarter

• An Erin Nelson layup and a Brooke Rowan jumper at 7:21 completed a 4-0 run for the Hawks as they cut their deficit to 26-10.
• The Spartans would outscore the Hawks 28-8 over the final seven minutes to close out the half leading 54-18.
• Rowan and Nelson each had four points for the Hawks. Victoria Perry and Talia Bee paced the Spartans with eight points each.

Third Quarter

• Free throws by Rowan, Nelson and Deriniece Moton cut the Hawks deficit to 56-23 at the 8:11 mark.
• Aurora would score 19 of the next 20 points over a four minute stretch, connecting on five three-pointers to extend their lead to 75-27, en route to an 81-29 lead heading into the final quarter.
• Moton had six points for Illinois Tech. Julie Galauner led Aurora with seven points.

Fourth Quarter

• A Nelson jumper at 6:54 to cut the Hawks deficit to 83-32 would be their last points until Rowan converted a pair of free throws with 22 seconds remaining.
• The Spartans outscored the Hawks 17-5 in the quarter en route to their 98-34 victory.
• Nelson had three points for Illinois Tech. Claudia Grunwald and Katie Beebe each had six points for Aurora.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Nelson finished with 10 points and four rebounds
• Rowan added nine points, including 7-10 from the free throw stripe.

Spartans Watch

• Perry paced the Spartans with 15 points.
• Rios had 10 points, five assists, four steals and three rebounds.
• April Tuason had 11 points and five assists.

Inside the Box Score

• The Hawks shot 22% from the field (9-41). The Spartans shot 50% from the field (38-76)
• The Spartans shot 35.9% from three point range (14-39); the Hawks were 0-8.
• The Spartans committed 21 fouls in the contest; the Hawks had 11 fouls.
• Each team shot 62% from the free throw stripe.
• Moton led the Hawks in playing time with 29 minutes. Perry and Rios led Aurora with 17 minutes played each.

Up Next

• The Scarlet Hawks look to rebound when they come home to face MSOE in a conference matchup this Saturday, December 4th at 2pm at the Keating Center.