By Jami Sponaugle 

Chicago, Ill. - In the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks women's basketball home opener of the 2022-23 season, they welcomed the Monmouth College Fighting Scots (2-2) to the Keating Sports Center for a non-conference contest. The game resulted in a loss for the Hawks (1-3) as they fell to the Scots by a final score of 81-56. 

First Half (Monmouth 41, Illinois Tech 29)

• The Hawks had energy early on, holding a 10-2 lead at 7:03 remaining in the first quarter, forcing the Scots to take a timeout. Julia Bucci recorded all 10 of the Hawks points. After trailing, the Scots began to comeback as they tied the game at 11-11 with 3:43 remaining after a layup by Jadyn Mitchell. The game remained close through the end of the quarter. Bucci nailed a 3-point buzzer beater at the end of the quarter as the Hawks trailed the Scots 18-17. 

• Although the Scots spent the beginning of the second quarter trying to build their lead, the Hawks fought hard to stay in it. At 7:13, the Scots held a 26-20 lead after a Ella Goodrich 3-pointer. After the Scots 3-pointer, the Hawks turned momentum around, starting with a Bucci layup at 6:53. Then, at 5:14, Kaya Jones made a 3-pointer to make it a 1-point, 26-25 game. The Hawks tied the contest at 26-26 after a Bucci free throw. A steal by Jones gave the Hawks the ball with 3:49 remaining. Bucci received the ball and made a layup to give the Hawks a 28-26 lead with 3:46 remaining. The Scots then went on a 15-1 run between 3:32 and the end of the quarter to head into halftime with a 41-28 lead over the Hawks 

Second Half (Monmouth 40, Illinois Tech 27)

• During the third quarter, the Scots held control of the offense as the Hawks fought to stay within reach. Monmouth led the quarter 14-8 to head into the fourth quarter with a 55-37 lead over the Hawks. 

• The Scots offensive run continued into the fourth quarter. Between 5:20 and 2:08, the Scots went on a 13-3 run over the Hawks, taking a 79-46 lead.  At the final whistle, the Hawks fell to the Scots 81-56.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Bucci led the Hawks with 24 points and picked up 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.

• Jones followed with 12 points. Jones led the team with 7 rebounds and 3 steals while also notching one assist.

• Chloe Churilla finished with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist.

Fighting Scots Standouts

• Lily Harlan and Mitchell led the Scots with 15 points. Harland also led the team with 10 rebounds and recorded 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. Mitchell finished with 2 rebounds, 1 steal. 

• Tarae Warner and Zoie Wall both finished with 12 points. Warner had 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Wall led the team with 8 assists and 2 steals while having 9 rebounds.

Inside the Box Score

• The Hawks finished 20-of-59 (33.9%) from the field, 7-of-30 (23.3%) from 3-point range, and 9-of-15 (60.0%) from the free throw line. The Scots went 31-of-63 (49.2%), 9-of-19 (47.4%), and 10-of-14 (71.4%) respectively. 

• Monmouth outrebounded Illinois Tech 46-30.

• 20 of the Hawks points came off turnovers while the Scots had 23. 

Up Next

The Hawks begin Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) action on Wednesday when they head to River Forest, Ill. to take on the Concordia University Chicago Cougars. Tip-off for the conference opener is set for 12:00 p.m.