Chicago, Ill. - In their final game of the 2023-24 season, the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks men's basketball team hosted the Rockford University Regents to the Keating Sports Center for a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) contest. In an exciting game from start to finish, the Hawks (6-19, 5-13) were able to secure a 75-67 victory over No.4 conference ranked Regents (17-8, 11-7)

Senior Day - Before the game, the Hawks honored the following five seniors for their contributions to Illinois Tech both on and off the court: Tomas Teklegergis, Andrew Veon, Furkan Mohamed, Patrick Blanchard, and Caden Gigstad

First Half (Illinois Tech 35 - Rockford 33)

• Without hesitation, the Hawks started the contest off with a three pointer from Caden Gigstad off a Furkan Mohamed assist. The next basket wouldn't come until 17:35 when the Regents made a layup to get on the board. The Regents layup started a 9-3 run over the Hawks, giving them a 9-6 lead at 15:46 in the first half. The Regents continued to hold the lead as the Hawks fought to keep the game close. At 9:52 remaining, Gigstad made a jumper to bring the Hawks within two as the Regents led 20-18. Dario Biaggi tied the contest at 5:34 with a three pointer off a Nicolas Ortiz assist, making the score 26-26. Three more ties followed in the remainder of the half before the Hawks took the lead heading into halftime. Andrew Veon put the Hawks on top with a jumper, sending the two sides into the locker rooms with the Hawks ahead 35-33. 

Second Half (Illinois Tech 40 - Rockford 34)

• After halftime, the Hawks began the offensive action with Patrick Blanchard recording two free throws. At the 16:33 mark, the Regents took a 1-point, 38-37 lead after nailing a three pointer. Mohamed then made a layup off an Ortiz assist at 15:11 to put the Hawks back on top. The first tie of the second half then came at 14:18 after a Regents three pointer made the score 41-41. After a tie at 43-43, the Regents jumped ahead at 45-43 with 12:45 remaining in the game. A scoreless streak between the two sides followed. Two free throws at 10:16 by the Regents broke the streak. Then, between 8:31 and 6:28, the Hawks went on a 9-2 run to take a 54-53 lead. During the run, Gigstad recorded two three pointers and Veon made a jumper and a free throw. After a Blanchard free throw, the Regents nailed a three to go back on top. A back-and-forth contest ensued as both sides fought to gain the lead over the other. With 2:40 remaining in the game, the contest would be tied one final time after Veon made a jumper off a Tomas Teklegergis assist to make the game 62-62. To close out the game, the Hawks finished with a 13-5 run, in which 8 points came from free throws. At the final buzzer, the Hawks secured a 75-67 victory over the Regents. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Andrew Veon - 19 points, 7-of-9 (77.8%) from the field, 5-of-6 (83.3%) from the free throw line, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal

• Caden Gigstad - 16 points, 5-of-9 (55.6%) from the field, 4-of-6 (66.7%) from three, 2-of-2 (100%) from the free throw line, 2 assists, 1 steal

• Garrison Carter - 13 points, 5-of-9 (55.6%) from the field, 3-of-4 (75.0%) from three, 2 rebounds, 1 assist

Regents Standouts

• Jaden Bell - 18 points, 5-of-11(45.5%) from the field, 4-of-9 (44.4%) from three, and 4-of-4 (100%) from the free throw line, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block

• Micah Swanson - 5 points, 7-of-10 (70.0%) from the field, 1-of-4 (25.0%) from the free throw line, 8 rebounds, 3 assists

• Kevin Diemer - 14 points, 6-of-13 (46.2%) from the field, 2-of-7 (28.6%) from three, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal 

Inside the Box Score

• The Hawks were 25-of-53 (47.2%) from the field, 11-of-22 (50.0%) from three, and 14-of-17 (82.4%) from the free throw line

• The Regents were 27-of-63 (42.9%) from the field, 8-of-20 (27.6%) from three, and 5-of-8 (62.5%) from the free throw line

• The Regents out-rebounded the Hawks 38-26

• The game saw 8 ties and 12 lead changes

• 23 of the Hawks points came off the bench

Comments from Head Coach TJ Gray

"I am extremely proud of our team for finishing the season on a high note. They played with great energy, effort and focus and I couldn't be more proud of them! For our Seniors....it has truly been an honor to coach them. Each of them show up to work every day and lead by example. To endure all the things they have this season and come out and play for something greater than themselves left me feeling elated and fulfilled. Each of them represented this university, their families, friends and team members well. I know they will continue to do great things in all of their future endeavors! I can't thank them enough for all that they have done!" 

2023-24 Recap

The Hawks finished their 2023-24 season with a 6-19 overall record and a 5-13 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference record.

Throughout the season, the Hawks recorded the following stats: 1,725 total points, 69.0 points per game, 812 rebounds, 32.5 rebounds per game, 299 assists, 12.0 assists per game, 163 steals, 6.5 steals per game, 75 blocks, and 3.0 blocks per game. 

Garrison Carter led the Hawks in total points and points per game with 312 and 12.5 respectively. Andrew Veon followed with 257 points and 10.7 points per game. Veon led with 125 rebounds while Carter followed with 109. Tomas Teklegergis led the Hawks in assists with 59, recording 2.5 per game. Caden Gigstad followed with 43 total assists and 1.8 per game. Joshua Iguade led the team in blocks with 20, averaging 1.2 per game. Gigstad led in steals with 25 while Dario Biaggi was right behind him with 24 and Veon closely behind with 22. 

Illinois Tech men's basketball will return in the winter of 2024.