Wooster, Ohio - The Illinois Tech women's basketball team traveled to Ohio to open their season Friday night against Franciscan University at the Nan Nichols Classic, hosted by The College of Wooster. The Scarlet Hawks overcame a slow start and a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to pull within one point with just over a minute left, but the Barons hit a layup and a pair of free throws in the final minute to hold off the Hawks for a 72-67 victory. The Scarlet Hawks open the season 0-1. The Barons start 1-1.

Points in the paint proved to be the difference in the game, as the Barons outscored the Scarlet Hawks 42-18 in the key. The Hawks did not have an answer for Franciscan's 6' 1" Doan sisters, as first-year Mikayla scored 25 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, while junior Madison added 22 points and had 12 rebounds.

First Half (Franciscan 36 - Illinois Tech 33)

After falling behind by five points early in the first quarter, the Scarlet Hawks closed within two points at 11-9 with 7:09 remaining. The Barons countered with a 13-5 run and a 24-14 lead before Allie Sillo hit a three-pointer with just over a minute remaining in the quarter to pull the Hawks within 7 points.

The Scarlet Hawks responded in the second quarter with a better defensive effort, limiting the Barons to just 12 points. Franciscan controlled the first five minutes, jumping to a 10 point lead at the 4:35 mark. The Hawks would battle back in the later stages of the quarter, completing a 9-2 run to pull within three points at the half. Sillo and Julia Bucci led the Hawks with 8 points.

Second Half (Franciscan 36 - Illinois Tech 34) 

The Barons doubled up their lead from 7 to 14 points within the first two minutes of the third quarter, to 47-33. A 16-6 response by the Scarlet Hawks pulled them within 4 points to close out the third quarter, at 53-49.

A 5-0 run by Franciscan put the Barons back up by nine points just a couple minutes into the final quarter. But the Scarlet Hawks used an 18-10 rally to pull within one point at 68-67 with 1:17 remaining. The Hawks would not get any closer, however, as the Barons closed out the game with a 5-0 run themselves. Sillo added 9 points in the final half.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Sillo led the Scarlet Hawks with 17 points, connecting on five three-pointers.

• Bucci finished with 16 points, going 4-7 from three-point range, while adding 6 rebounds.

• Kaya Jones added 11 points, 6 assists and 6 steals with only one turnover.

• Chloe Churilla paced the Hawks with 8 rebounds while adding 7 points and 2 blocks.
• Berit Rusing had 8 points in 17 minutes in her collegiate debut.

Barons Watch

• Mikayla Doan with 25 points and 9 rebounds.

• Madison Doan added 22 points and led all players with 12 rebounds.

• Caroline Reedy chipped in 11 points with 10 rebounds.

Inside The Box Score

• The Scarlet Hawks bench outscored the Barons 32-4.

• Points from turnovers also favored the Hawks, 15-13.

Up Next

The Scarlet Hawks have a quick turn-around, as they take on Houghton University at 12:00 PM Saturday in their final game of the Nan Nichols Classic at The College of Wooster.