Chicago, Ill — Men's Basketball claimed a solid 73-64 win over Albion on Monday night at the Keating Sports Center. A key factor in this victory was the Scarlet Hawks' dominance at the free-throw line, outscoring Albion 23-12.  With this win, Illinois Tech stands at an even 4-4 for the season and in 2-1 in conference play. Albion now holds a 5-3 record.

How It Happened
The Scarlet Hawks managed a narrow 30-26 advantage by halftime. Albion came out strong, with Michael Umeh's layup and a three-pointer from Kurtis Rhodes setting up a 6-0 lead. However, Illinois Tech responded swiftly as John Davis III sank a three-pointer at 15:24. The first half was a back-and-forth battle, featuring seven ties and various lead changes. Garrison Carter's clutch three-pointer at 1:05 and a Davis layup in the final seconds allowed Illinois Tech to enter the break with a slight edge.

In the second half, Illinois Tech pulled away, maintaining their momentum through crucial plays. Carter's defensive rebound at 19:41 initiated a series of successes, including a layup at 16:43. Davis continued to shine, adding a three-pointer at 12:02 and a critical layup plus a free throw at 2:36 to expand the lead. Despite a late push from the Britons, capped by Kameron Mayes' layup with 31 seconds left, Illinois Tech's steady scoring and strategic free throws in the closing minute secured the win.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

John Davis III  
- 26 points  
- 9/13 field goals  
- 3/5 three-pointers  

Nicolas Ortiz  
- 13 points  
- 6/7 free throws  
- 5 rebounds  

Isaiah Dudley  
- 10 rebounds  
- 2 steals  

Garrison Carter  
- 10 points  
- 8 rebounds  
- 2 steals  

Albion Top Performers

Kameron Mayes  
- 18 points  
- 8/11 free throws  
- 5 steals  
- 12 rebounds  

Kurtis Rhodes  
- 10 points  
- 3/4 three-pointers  
- 4 rebounds  

Malachi Hooser  
- 4 points  
- 3 steals  

Game Notes:
- Illinois Tech is now 3-1 all-time against Albion.
- Davis has reached at least 26 points in back-to-back games.

Up Next
The Scarlet Hawks are set to face St. Norbert College next, with the game tipping off at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at Keating Sports Center in Chicago.