Chicago, Ill. - Hosting their final game of 2023, the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks women's basketball team welcomes the Saint Mary's College Belles to the Keating Sports Center for a non-conference contest. The Hawks (2-8) fought hard throughout the first half to enter halftime trailing the Belles (3-7) by just 9 points. Unfortunately, after halftime, the Belles pulled away from the Hawks. At the final buzzer, the Belles defeated the Hawks 85-63. 

First Half (St. Mary's 46 - Illinois Tech 40)

• Opening the contest, Kaya Jones and Julia Bucci nailed back-to-back three pointers for the Hawks at 9:50 and 9:25 respectively. For most of the first quarter, the Hawks held the lead over the Belles. 3:08 would mark the first time the Belles held the lead. With 1:44 remaining in the quarter, Camden Joko hit a three to tie the contest at 19-19. At the end of the third quarter, the Belles held the advantage as they led the Hawks 23-21.

• Joko recorded a three to begin the second quarter and to put the Hawks ahead. The Hawks held the lead until 6:52 remained when the Belles tied the game at 28-28 after a jumper. Joko immediately answered for the Hawks, putting them back on top at 6:31 with yet another three pointer. The Hawks held the lead until the Belles tied the game up at 4:33 remaining before taking the lead holding it for the remainder of the quarter. A free throw by Chloe Churilla made it a 6-point difference heading into halftime with the Belles on top 46-40.  

Second Half (St. Mary's 39 - Illinois Tech 23)

• In the beginning of the third quarter, the Belles slowly built their lead over the Hawks. Halfway through the quarter, with 4:54 remaining, the Belles made a layup to hold a 11-point, 55-44 lead over the Hawks. As the Hawks fought hard, the Belles remained ahead. At the end of the quarter, the Belles led 63-50. 

• Beginning the fourth quarter, the Belles made back-to-back baskets before Jones recorded a three pointer for the Hawks at 9:19. Here, the Hawks trailed the belles 67-53. With five minutes remaining in the game, the visiting team was on top 75-57. At the final buzzer, the Belles defeated the Hawks 85-63. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Julia Bucci - 17 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal

• Chloe Churilla - 13 points 8 rebounds, 2 assist, 4 blocks, 1 steal

Belles Standouts

• Julia Schutz - 29 points, 12-of-16 (75.0%) from the field, 3-of-5 (60.0%) from three, 2-of-3 (66.7%) from the free throw line, 7 rebounds, 3 assist, 2 blocks, 4 steals

• Annie Restovich - 18 points, 7-of-11 (63.6%) from the field, 4-of-6 (66.7) from three, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals

• Athena Samson - Double-Double, 11 points, 5-of-9 (55.6) from the field, 14 rebounds, 3 assist, 1 block

Inside the Box Score 

• The Hawks were 20-of-66 (30.3%) from the field, 8-of-24 (33.3%) from three, and 15-of-23 (65.2%) from the free throw line. 

• The Belles were 34-of-71 (47.9%) from the field, 8-of-17 (47.1%) from three, and 9-of-14 (64.3%) from the free throw line. 

• In rebounds, the Belles finished with 47 while the Hawks had 42

• 38 of the Belles points came off the bench

• The Hawks led the game in blocks with 8

• In steals, the Belles edged the Hawks 12-11

Up Next

The Hawks are off for the remainder of 2023. The Hawks will return to action in the new year on January 3, 2024 when they travel to Madison, Wis. to take on the Edgewood College Eagles in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) contest. Tip-off between the Hawks and Eagles is scheduled for 7:00 PM.