By Jami Sponaugle

Milwaukee, Wi. - Opening up the 2022-23 season, the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks women's basketball team traveled to take on the Mount Mary University Blue Angels. In the non-conference contest, the Hawks defeated the Blue Angels 72-62.  

How it Happened

• The first points of the contest came in favor of the Blue Angels from two made free throws at 8:55 left in the first quarter. The Hawks first basket came from a jump shot by Kaya Jones with 8:27 left. At 4:27 left in the quarter, Grace Goodnough made a free throw as the Hawks trailed the Blue Angels 9-7. Unfortunately for the Hawks, that was their last basket of the quarter as the Blue Angels slowly built their lead. At the end of the first quarter, the Blue Angels led the Hawks 17-7. 

• Deriniece Moton put up the first points of the second quarter with a jump shot at 9:21 remaining. Then, between 9:20 and 7:10, neither side would record a basket. The Blue Angels stopped the scoreless streak at 7:09 with a jump shot by Alexus Hatcher. Hatcher's shot gave the Blue Angels a 10-point, 19-9 lead over the Hawks. At halftime, the Blue Angels led the Hawks 30-23. 

• Coming out of halftime, the Hawks turned momentum in their favor. Moton once again made the first basket of the quarter but the Blue Angels quickly followed with a 3-pointer by India Lucas. The Hawks then went on a 6-0 run between 8:55 and 7:40 with Jones making all six points as the Hawks were able to cut the Blue Angels lead to 33-31. At 6:42, the Hawks were able to tie the contest at 34-34 after a Julia Bucci 3-pointer. The Blue Angels quickly took back their lead though, making it 39-34 in their favor with 5:27 remaining. Then, at 3:51, the Hawks took the lead and held onto it after a Camden Joko 3-pointer. Here, the Hawks held a slight, 42-41 lead. Through the remainder of the third quarter, the Hawksheld onto the lead as they entered the fourth quarter leading the Blue Angels 50-47. 

• In the fourth quarter, the Blue Angels opened with a jump shot to come within one. Joko quickly answered for the Hawks though, hitting a three tok take a 53-49 lead with 8:08 remaining in the game. With 2:50 remaining, the Hawks held a 10-point, 66-56 lead after Chloe Churilla made a layup. The Blue Angels attempted to cut the Hawks lead, but the Hawks fought hard and were able to secure a 10-point, 72-62 victory. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Joko came off the bench and led the Hawks with 23 points as she was 8-of-15 from the field and 7-of-11 from the 3-point line. Joko also picked up 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal. 

• Jones followed with 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. 

• Moton and Bucci both picked up 10 points. Moton ended with 7 rebounds and led the team with 7 assists and 6 steals. Bucci added 8 rebounds while picking up 1 assist and 3 steals. 

• Churilla paced the Scarlet Hawks with 12 rebounds while adding 6 points.

Inside the Box Score

• The Hawks shot 29-of-80 from the field and 10-of-23 from the 3-point line while the Blue Angels went 21-of-59 and 3-of-17 respectively. 

• Illinois Tech made 4-of-8 free throws while Mount Mary made 17-of-23. 

• The Hawks held a slight 48-44 advantage in rebounds. 

• 17 steals were in favor of the Hawks while the Blue Angels picked up 7. 

Up Next

The Hawks return to action on Saturday when they travel to Adrian, Mich. to take on the Adrian College Bulldogs at 3:00 P.M. CT/4:00 P.M. ET.