Chicago, Ill. - In their second to last game of the 2023-24 season, the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks men's basketball team hosted the Marian University Regents in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) contest. After a slow start, the Hawks (5-19, 4-13) played catch up during the first half of action. At halftime, the Hawks were able to come within five of the Sabres (4-19, 4-12), as the visitors led 29-24. Through the second half of action, the Hawks would come within one point of the Sabres, but were unable to tie or overtake the visitors. The Sabres would pull away from the Hawks, and by the final buzzer, defeated the Hawks 64-45. 

First Half (Marian 29 - Illinois Tech 24)

• The visiting Sabres pulled out to an early lead as the Hawks struggled to make a basket in the opening minutes. The Sabres took a 12-0 lead before the Hawks got on the board at the 12:52 mark when Joshua Iguade made a jumper from a Desmond Price assist. Iguade went on to pick up 5 straight points for the Hawks to make the score 12-7 in favor of the Sabres with 9:34 remaining in the half. With 7:30 on the clock, Caden Gigstad nailed a three pointer off a Dario Biaggi assist. The Hawks continued to try to chip away at the Sabres lead for the remainder of the first half. With 2:57 remaining, Price drained a three pointer off a Tomas Teklegergis assist to bring the Hawks within four as the Sabres led 26-22. After the Hawks three, the Sabres went down the court and hit a three of their own. Rodney Murphy would go on to record the final points of the quarter after making a layup off an Iguade assist. At halftime, the Sabres led the Hawks 29-24.  

Second Half (Marian 35 - Illinois Tech 21)

• The Hawks began the second half strong, coming within one point of the Sabres at the 16:54 mark after Biaggi picked up five points and Andrew Veon hit a free throw. At this point, the Sabres led 31-30. Unfortunately for the Hawks, the Sabres next four basket were three points as they went on a 12-3 run between 15:57 and 12:37. At 11:55 Veon made a layup from a Teklegergis assist, making the score 43-35 in favor of the Sabres. A brief scoreless streak followed until 9:33 read on the scoreboard when Teklegergis made a free throw. At 7:35, the Sabres made a jumper to take a 10-point, 48-38 lead over the Hawks. In the end, the Hawks were unable to get any offensive action going as their last basket came at the 5:16 mark. At the final buzzer, the Sabres defeated the Hawks 64-45. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Joshua Iguade - 15 points, 6-of-7 (85.7%) from the field, 3-of-4 (75.0%) from the free throw line, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block

• Dario Biaggi - 10 points, 4-of-9 (44.4%) from the field, 2-of-5 (40.0%) from three, 3 rebounds, 1 assist

Sabres Standouts

• Tavaris McCullough - 16 points, 6-of-15 (40.0%) from the field, 1-of-3 (33.3%) from three, 3-of-5 (60.0%) from the free throw line, 1 rebound, 5 assists, 1 steal

• Tyler Bunkoske - 12 points, 4-of-9 (44.4%) from the field, 4-of-7 (57.1%) from three, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

• Jack Field - 12 points, 4-of-6 (66.7%) from the field, 4-of-6 (66.7%) from three, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals

Inside the Box Score

• The Hawks were 18-of-48 (37.5%) from the field, 4-of-12 (33.3%) from three, and 5-of-8 (62.5%) from the free throw line

• The Sabres were 23-of-52 (44.2%) from the field, 13-of-28 (46.4%) from three, and 5-of-8 (62.5%) from the free throw line 

• The Hawks out-rebounded the Sabres 35-25

• Off the bench, the Sabres recorded 24 points while the Hawks recorded 22 

• 20 of the Sabres points came off turnovers

Up Next

The Hawks will close out their 2023-24 season campaign on Saturday, February 17, when they host the Rockford University Regents for NACC action. Before the 3:15 PM tip-off, the Hawks will be honoring their seniors for senior day.