Chicago, Ill. – For the first time in 2025, the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks men's basketball team played a home game inside the Keating Sports Center. Returning to Joe Hakes Court for the first time since December 18th, 2024, the Hawks welcomed the Rockford University Regents for a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) contest. In what would be a close contest, with six ties and nine lead changes, it would be the visiting Regents (9-5, 4-3) who ended up on top with a 78-67 victory over the Hawks (3-12, 2-6).
DeAndre Vortes began the game with a three pointer at 18:30. After the Regents went down the court and recorded a layup, Jace Gooley and Dario Biaggi would both nail 3-pointers to keep the Hawks ahead. The Hawks would remain in the lead until the11:09 mark when a layup by the Regents gave the visitors a 1-point, 14-13 lead. Following a brief lead by the Regents, Vortes would go on to hit back-to-back layups to tie the contest at 17-17 with 8:34 remaining in the first half. The game would then go back-and-forth, with the Regents ending up on top at 6:27 following a three pointer that made the score 23-22. As the Regents remained ahead, the Hawks fought to stay within reach. With 22 seconds remaining in the half, the Hawks tied the contest when Nick Galati made two free throws. Right before the halftime buzzer, two free throws went in favor of the Regents, sending the teams into the locker rooms with the Regents ahead 36-34.
A Biaggi three began the second half of action, putting the Hawks on top before a back-and-forth battle ensued. Back-to-back threes from Biaggi and Vortes put the Hawks back on top at 16:09 as they led 46-42. The Hawks held onto the lead until the 14:48 mark when a layup by the Regents tied the contest 48-48. After the Regents picked up one free throw, Ebone Junior picked up a layup and free throw at 13:53, putting the Hawks ahead 51-49. The lead did not last long though, and would be the Hawks last of the game, as the Regents took off with an 8-0 run. The Hawks fought to keep the game close, but momentum was going in favor of the Regents, who eventually took a 16-point lead. At the final buzzer, the Regents claimed a 78-67 win over the Hawks.
DeAndre Vortes led the Hawks with 27 points after going 10-of-17 (58.8%) from the field, 5-of-7 (71.4%) from three, and 2-of-4 (50.0%) from the free throw line. Vortes added on three rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Dario Biaggi followed with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Jace Gooley tallied 12 points, two rebounds, and one steal.
Anthony Espensen came off the bench to lead the Regents with 18 points after going 6-of-15 (40.0%) from the field, 2-of-6 (33.3%) from three, and 4-of-4 (100%) from the free throw line. Espensen ended with a double-double as he added on 10 rebounds, while also picking up four assists and one steal. Micah Swanson also recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds while adding on two assists, one block, and one steal.
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The Hawks have a week break before traveling just outside of Chicago to River Forest, IL. where they will take on the Dominican University Stars. The January 22nd contest will tip off at 7:00 PM.
